The Oglethorpe men's tennis team completed an outstanding weekend Sunday afternoon on the Downing Howell Courts, making quick work of the visiting Hendrix Warriors in a comprehensive 8-1 victory. The win improved the Stormy Petrels to 11-4 overall and 4-1 in SAA play, putting them in at least a tie for second place in the league with two matches to play.
The Petrels got off to exactly the start they were looking for in doubles play, taking all three matches to put themselves up 3-0 headed to the singles portion of play. The No. 3 doubles team of freshmen Angel Llerena and Richard Johnson got things started with an 8-2 win while the No. 2 pairing of senior Briton Richardson and freshman Michael Allen followed that up with a hard-fought 8-6 win. The seventh-rated doubles team in the Atlantic South, senior C.J. Antonio and sophomore Rhys Richardson, also won their match at No. 1, taking it 8-4 to complete the doubles sweep.
In singles, Briton Richardson started things off with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 4, bringing Oglethorpe to within a point of taking the dual match. His brother, Rhys, clinched it at No. 3, winning 6-1, 6-2. Sophomore Judd Motz followed with a clean sweep at No. 2, winning 6-0, 6-0, while national No. 23 Antonio took out his opponent 6-1, 6-0 at the top singles spot. Senior Matt Roberson defeated his opponent in straight sets at No. 5, winning 6-1, 7-5. Freshman Samuel Cornwell suffered the only Oglethorpe loss at No. 6, falling 6-0, 6-4.
"I was afraid we might have a bit of a letdown after our fine play against Rhodes on Saturday," said Oglethorpe head coach Peter Howell. "However, after a bit of a slow start in doubles, we got it together and took care of the job at hand. After winning the three doubles, it was nice to get senior Matt Roberson and freshman Sam Cornwell into the lineup as they have worked hard during every practice and earned a chance to play."
The Petrels will be back in action Tuesday afternoon, when they travel across town to take on No. 1 Emory at 2 p.m. After that, they'll welcome No. 28 Sewanee and Centre to the Howell Courts for their final two home matches of the season.
