PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Norwich University
tennis team suffered its first loss of the 2008 season on Saturday
afternoon, dropping an 8-1 decision to GNAC rival Johnson &
Wales in the conference opener. The Wildcats improve to 2-1 (1-0
GNAC), while the Cadets fall to 2-1 (0-1).
Peter Hooper picked up Norwich's lone point, taking a 6-1, 6-2
verdict from Stuard Fodiman at No. 1 singles.
Johnson & Wales (2-1, 1-0 GNAC) won the other five singles
matches in straight sets, and the Wildcats took all three doubles
matches as well.
"This weekend's match was the first time that we have seen
competition like this all season," said NU head coach Kyle
Dezotell. "It certainly took us a while to get into the flow of the
matches. While Johnson & Wales was certainly the better overall
team, we showed that we are capable of staying with them,
as the second sets of most matches were close. We
will continue to improve as we face better teams throughout the
year.
"Peter Hooper was fantastic in his singles match today," added
Dezotell "He and Matt Sanford struggled a bit, at the net
especially, in their doubles match, but it was nice to see him
respond so well to his first true challenge of the season.
The player he beat at No. 1 singles is one of the top players in
the conference, and he beat him handily. He will again be
tested this Thursday against Colby-Sawyer as they are the best
non-conference team that we will face this season."
Norwich returns to action on Thursday, April 3, when the Cadets
host battle Colby-Sawyer College in a non-league match at Shapiro
Field House. First serve is set for 4 p.m.
Johnson & Wales 8, Norwich 1
Singles
1) Peter Hooper (NU) def. Stuard Fodiman 6-1, 6-2
2) Tit Hudarin (JWU) def. Matt Sanford 6-0, 6-3
3) John Baurernfeind (JWU) def. Chris Pashley 6-1, 6-4
4) Henrick Arnbert (JWU) def. Travis Tyler (NU) 6-2, 6-2
5) Stefano Kafati (JWU) def. Garrett Washburn 6-1, 6-0
6) Devin Kitterick (JWU) def. Katie Brammer 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1) Fodiman/Baurernfeind (JWU) def. Hooper/Sanford 8-3
2) Arnbert/Hudarin (JWU) def. Pashley/Tyler 8-1
3) Kafati/Kitterick (JWU) def. Washburn/Brammer 8-2
