ADA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's tennis team fell in Ohio Athletic Conference action 6-3 to Ohio Northern University at the University Courts.

 

Doubles play proved to be crucial to Ohio Northern's success as the Polar Bears (9-6, 3-1 OAC) won all three points in tight matches. Junior Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar Athletes and All-OAC players Dominic Polifrone (Hudson) and Matt Harris (Akron/Revere) at No. 1 doubles and junior ITA Scholar Athlete Roger Boyer (Medina) and freshman Michael Benotti (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) at No. 3 doubles both fell by scores of 8-5. Meanwhile, senior Alex Papke (Federal Way, Wash./Thomas Jefferson) and sophomore ITA Scholar Athlete Jake Elbin (Findlay) battled to take one-game leads at multiple points during their No. 2 doubles match but could not hang on, falling 8-6. 

 

BW (9-4, 0-3 OAC) got on the scoreboard during singles play when Elbin breezed to a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles. However, Ohio Northern got victories at No. 2 and No. 4 singles to seal the overall victory with still three matches left on the courts. The Yellow Jackets earned two more points on the afternoon as Polifrone took down the Polar Bears' No. 1 player in Vinh Thai in straight sets by scores of 6-2, 6-4 and Benotti battled through a tough first set to win 7-5, 6-1. 

 

BW will continue to seek its first OAC victory when the Yellow Jackets host Heidelberg University on Tuesday, April 17, at 3:30 p.m. in the team's first match at the Pop Collins Tennis Courts this spring.