Making it Reign

The Independent Student Newspaper Since 1920

by: Jarrod Ficklin ‘11

PUBLISHED: 23 April 2010 No Comment

Undefeated in ODAC play, tennis Tigers look to rout Generals and claim another crown

With the ODAC Tournament quickly approaching, the Tennis Tigers have one thing on their minds: making it reign. After capturing last year’s crown and dominating the ODAC this season, the Tigers certainly look poised to capture back-to-back ODAC titles. Standing in their way will be the Generals of Washington & Lee, who look for revenge against the Tigers.

The Tennis Tigers have an undefeated, 9-0 conference record. That 9-0 record combined with last year’s win streak means that the Tigers have won 17 straight conference matches heading into the 2010 version of the ODAC Tournament. In the 2010 campaign, the Tigers have had their way with the ODAC, winning those 9 matches by a combined score of 71-10.

Senior Will Moss has certainly been a primary reason for the Tigers’ success, going 8-3 on the season, 7-0 in ODAC play. Moss is a three-time ODAC Player of the Year, but the talent that surrounds him certainly helps the team effort. Sophomore Kevin Calhoun is 9-2 on the season, 7-0 in ODAC play; junior Rich Pugh is 7-1, 5-1; junior Tal Covington is 9-3, 6-1; junior Shad Harrell is 8-4, 7-1.

Despite their dominance, the Tigers will have a tough challenge. The ODAC Tournament is held in Lexington on Washington & Lee’s home courts, the same place where Hampden-Sydney ended the Generals’ reign. The Generals – 28-time ODAC champs – had won 13 straight ODAC titles before falling to the Tigers in the 2009 ODAC Championship. With that victory, the Tigers handed the Generals their first ODAC loss since 2000, so the Generals will certainly be looking for revenge.

The Tigers did defeat the Generals in a thrilling match at home on March 19th by a score of 5-4. Will Moss, ranked #10 in the region, will face #4 in the region, Hayden White. Moss did, however, defeat White in the first match 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Despite that dramatic Tiger victory, Hampden-Sydney is ranked #27 nationally while Washington & Lee stands at #25. If you ask any coach or player about rankings, 99% of them will say that rankings mean absolutely nothing, and the Tigers hope that rings true in the tournament. However, it also adds fuel to the fire. The Tigers have knocked off Washington & Lee two straight times and are the reigning ODAC Champs, but they are still ranked behind the Generals, a sign of disrespect that the Tigers will certainly look to reverse this weekend.

The ODAC Championship will most likely come down to a battle of revenge versus respect. The Generals will look to reestablish their reign over the ODAC while Hampden-Sydney will look to continue a new era of dominance. Twenty straight ODAC wins would not only be a great accomplishment for the Tigers, but it would also make the Tigers back-to-back ODAC Champs. The ODAC Tournament starts on April 23rd and will conclude on April 25th.