CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – In the programs’ first meeting
since the 1948-49 season, the MIT men’s tennis team topped
Suffolk University, 8-1, on Thursday. With the win, the Engineers
improved to 5-1 on the year while the Rams’ ledger lowered to
0-1.
MIT opened the contest with a pair of 8-2 decisions in the No. 2
and No. 3 doubles spots. Samuel Harmatz and David Iba defeated
Christopher Staley and John Samander while Biafra Ahanonu and Max
Nelson registered their victory over Justin Ayoub and Garrett
Freeman. The Engineers completed the sweep courtesy of Brian Wee
and Ken Van Tilburg’s 8-5 win over Diego Alvarado and Jared
Orkin.
Van Tilburg carried the momentum into the singles portion of the
match, notching a 6-0, 6-2 decision over Alvarado in the No. 1
position. Wee followed with a 6-0, 6-3 victory against Staley as
Harmatz did not drop a game to Orkin in the No. 3 slot. Iba
recorded a 6-0, 6-1 decision versus Ayoub while Ahanonu posted an
8-2 win in the No. 6 spot. Freeman put Suffolk on the board by
outlasting Manuel Rivera, 10-8, in the No. 5 position.
MIT returns to action on Tuesday, March 31 when it hosts Salem
State College. On Saturday, March 21, Suffolk will host Great
Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Norwich University in its
home-opener.
Suffolk University vs. MIT
Final Team Score: MIT 8, Suffolk 1
Doubles
Brian Wee/Ken Van Tilburg (M) def. Diego Alvarado/Jared Orkin (S),
8-5
Samuel Harmatz/David Iba (M) def. Christopher Staley/John Samander
(S), 8-2
Biafra Ahanonu/Max Nelson (M) def. Justin Ayoub/Garrett Freeman
(S), 8-2
Singles
Ken Van Tilburg (M) def. Diego Alvarado (S), 6-0, 6-2
Brian Wee (M) def. Christopher Staley (S), 6-0, 6-3
Samuel Harmatz (M) def. Jared Orkin (S), 6-0, 6-0
David Iba (M) def. Justin Ayoub (S), 6-0, 6-1
Garrett Freeman (S) def. Manuel Rivera (M), 10-8
Biafra Ahanonu (M) def. John Samander (S), 8-2
(Story Courtesy of MIT Sports Information Dept.)