April 25, 2009

Top-Seeded MIT Notches 5-1 Semifinal Win, Aims for 11th Crown

NORTON, MA- The top-seeded Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) men's tennis team's quest to remain the lone New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament champion in the league's 11-year history continued on Saturday, as the Engineers knocked off number-four United States Coast Guard Academy, 5-1 in the semifinals at Wheaton College's Clark Tennis Courts.

MIT, which improved to 15-2, will take on second-seeded Babson College in Saturday afternoon's title match. The Engineers have won each of the league's 11 regular season championships and captured the first 10 tournament crowns. The Bears completed their season at 8-10 despite a strong showing.

Coast Guard took a point from MIT in doubles action, as junior Chris Pappe (Kenosha, WI) and freshman Greg Mitchell (Keene, NH) teamed for an 8-3 win in the top position, but Engineer senior David Iba (Lexington, MA/Lexington) and freshman Brian Wee (Woodbury, NY/Syosset) countered by taking an 8-1 decision at two.

The third-slot match ended with an MIT twosome edging past its Bear counterpart, 8-6. Senior Peden Nichols (Great Falls, VA/Thomas Jefferson) and freshman Samuel Harmatz (Huntingdon Valley, PA/Lower Moreland) teamed for the win, holding off senior Tim Ozimek (Silverdale, WA) and sophomore James Vuckovic (Valrico, FL).

The Engineers clinched the victory after two singles matches, with Wee claiming a 6-4, 6-4 triumph in the third position against Pappe and senior Jonathan Farm (Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) picking up a 6-2, 6-3 win at six. In the meantime, a pair of Coast Guard players had taken their opening sets, while Mitchell was only one game shy of tying his match versus sophomore Kevin Pang (Torrance, CA/California Academy of Math and Science) before MIT captured its fifth victory to notch the team win.

MIT 5, Coast Guard Academy 1
Apr 25, 2009 at Norton, Mass.

Singles competition
1. Kevin Pang (MIT) vs. Greg Mitchell (CGA) 6-4, 5-6, unfinished
2. Ken Van Tilburg (MIT) vs. Nick Martin (CGA) 4-6, 5-5, unfinished
3. Brian Wee (MIT) def. Chris Pappe (CGA) 6-4, 6-4
4. Samuel Harmatz (MIT) def. James Vuckovic (CGA) 6-0, 6-0
5. Peden Nichols (MIT) vs. Wesley Figaro (CGA) 6-7, 3-1, unfinished
6. Jonathan Farm (MIT) def. Tim Ozimek (CGA) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Greg Mitchell/Chris Pappe (CGA) def. Kevin Pang/Ken Van Tilburg (MIT) 8-3
2. Brian Wee/David Iba (MIT) def. Nick Martin/Wesley Figaro (CGA) 8-1
3. Samuel Harmatz/Peden Nichols (MIT) def. James Vuckovic/Tim Ozimek (CGA) 8-6

Match Notes
Coast Guard Academy 8-10
MIT 15-2