CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Vanderbilt men’s tennis competed against Penn State at Harvard’s Murr Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts Sunday afternoon with the Commodores earning the win over Penn State, 4-3.
The Commodores started fast winning the first doubles match on Court 3 with Billy Rowe and George Harwell defeating Penn State’s Lakoselijac/Antonopoulo, 6-2.
The Nittany Lions came back to defeat the Dores on Courts 1 and 2 securing the doubles point over Vanderbilt leading 1-0 headed into singles play.
George Harwell conquered the Commodores first match point with a straight set win on Court 3 over Penn State’s Christos Antonopoulo, 6-2, 6-2 tying the score 1-1.
Following Cameron Klinger dropping the match on Court 1, 6-3, 6-1, freshman Macsen Sisam rebounded for the Commodores earning the win on Court 4 over Nemeth, 6-1, 6-4.
With a victory from sophomore Billy Rowe on Court 5 over Alp Sentay, 6-2, 6-3 and a loss on Court 2 by Max Freeman, the score remained tied extending to 3 all.
With the match point coming down to Court 6, Panu Virtanen battled against Penn State’s Ben Lieb falling short in the first set, 7-5.
Entering the second set Virtanen gained momentum taking down Lieb 6-3 followed by a 6-3 win in the final set clinching the match for the Commodores, 4-3.
Head Coach Ian Duvenhage is proud of his team’s performance and their endurance throughout the match.
“I am very happy with the way we fought back after losing the doubles point. George Harwell, Macsen Sisam and Billy Rowe all won straight set matches to put us on the verge and then Panu Virtanen did a superb job of clinching the victory for us,” said Duvenhage.
The Commodores hit the courts again Friday taking on Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Keep up with the Dores as they prepare for next weekend’s match up by following @VandyMTennis on Twitter and Instagram.
