Men’s tennis team participates in NESCAC tournament and prepares to host NCAA Championship first round

Middlebury Men’s Tennis Team Falls Short in NESCAC Championship, Looks Ahead to NCAA Tournament

The Middlebury men’s tennis team, coming in as the top seed and two-time defending champions, had a mixed weekend at the NESCAC championship. After a convincing 5-0 victory over Trinity College in the first round, the Panthers narrowly lost to Bowdoin College 4-5 in the semifinals.

In the first round, Middlebury lived up to expectations, securing a win over Trinity, a team they have not lost to since the 1999-2000 season. The Panthers’ strong doubles performances set the stage for their victory, with Neel Epstein, Robby Ward, Hugh Hentschel, Thehan Wijemanne, Julian Wu, and Aidan Harris all winning their matches.

However, in the semifinals against Bowdoin, the Panthers faced a tougher challenge. Despite winning the majority of doubles matches and two singles matches, Middlebury ultimately fell short, with Bowdoin clinching the win in the #4 singles match.

While the loss was disappointing, the team remains focused on their ultimate goal: the national championship. With a bid secured for the NCAA tournament, Middlebury will now turn their attention to the upcoming competition. The Panthers have a strong history in the tournament, having won it three times in the past.

Looking ahead, Middlebury fans can expect to see the team in action as they host the preliminary rounds of play starting this Friday. The college also has plans to enhance the tennis facilities over the summer, providing more opportunities for students to support one of Middlebury’s most successful teams.