GAMBIER, Ohio -- The Kenyon College men's tennis team made it two-for-two on their home court, downing Ohio Wesleyan University in an 8-1 victory at the Jasper Tennis Center. The Owls' second win in the last two days boosted No. 17-ranked Kenyon's overall record to 7-9 and even their North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) mark at 1-1. Meanwhile, the Battling Bishops fell to 5-4 (0-1 NCAC).
The Owls opened the dual by sweeping all three doubles matches, taking an early 3-0 lead. The pairing of Harshal Rukhaiyar and Christophe Leblanc made quick work in their No. 3 doubles match with an 8-0 win, while Eric Zhang and Luis Andres Platas prevailed 8-2 at No. 1. The No. 2 match was a little tighter at 8-4, but Eliezer Gonzalez and Paulo Pocasangre Kreling secured Kenyon's doubles run.
All six singles matches were decided in straight sets, and the Owls came out on top in five of the six bouts. The Nos. 1-3 singles matches finished in reverse order, while Nos. 4-6 went right down the line. Leblanc put Kenyon ahead 4-0 with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 3 before Jacob Smith clinched the dual with a 6-1, 6-1 sweep of the No. 2 match.
Playing at No. 1 for the first time this season, Gonzalez cruised to a 6-2 set-one win before battling for a 7-5 decision in set two, putting the Owls up 6-0. The ensuing finish in the No. 4 match is where OWU added a point as Jose Mancilla won 6-1 in set one before ousting Subhan Bin Salik 7-6 (8-6) in set two.
After the hiccup, Kenyon closed the afternoon with matching 6-0, 6-1 victories in the final two singles matches. Evan Dean finished first at No. 5, while Rukhaiyar wrapped up Kenyon's 8-1 final in the No. 6 spot.
Kenyon will look to remain undefeated in Gambier when they welcome Wittenberg University (3-8, 0-1 NCAC) to the Jasper Tennis Center tomorrow, April 2, for the Owls' third dual in three days. The NCAC bout is scheduled to begin at noon, depending on whether the teams can play outdoors for the first time this weekend.
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