The Stony Brook men’s tennis team began their 2008-2009 campaign at the Cornell Fall Invitational with a successful showing this past weekend. Sophomore Ivan Rummel was the star of the meet, as he won the first singles flight title.
‘Ivan had a great weekend and he proved that he can play with anybody in the east region,’ said Coach Gary Glassman.
His road to winning the title was not easy, however. After winning his first three matches in straight sets, he needed all three to win his semi-final and final matches. In those matches, he won 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 versus senior Nick Savage-Pollack (UMBC) and 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 versus sophomore John Jakitsch (Cornell).
Junior Ilan Shvartz also competed in the first singles flight, and after losing his first match, he made it all the way to the consolation bracket final. In the final, he faced junior Jonathan Fife, (Cornell) where he lost in three sets, 6-2, 1-6, 10-7.
‘To have our top guys playing well sends a strong message to the entire squad,’ said Coach Glassman on Shvartz and Rummel’s performance.
Other notable players were freshman Mitch Wong, who lost in the semifinal round of the Second Singles flight, and junior Halvar Dil, who won the consolation bracket of the same flight.
‘Mitch and Halvar both improved with each match over the weekend,’ said Coach Glassman. ‘They will be key contributors this season.’
The team’s next action will be at the UConn Invitational, which will take place the weekend of Sept. 26.
‘Right now I am very pleased with where we are with the men’s team,’ said Coach Glassman on his team’s status. ‘We have good depth and the chemistry is also very good.’
On the women’s side, the team will be hosting the Stony Brook Classic this weekend. Auburn University, University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Toledo, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Marist College, and Long Island University will be among the teams competing in the event.
‘We are very excited about hosting such quality schools,’ said Coach Glassman. ‘The quality of play should be outstanding.’
Along with returning junior Paola Rodolfi, senior Erica Federgreen, and sophomore Fanny Charliquart, the team will be featuring five freshmen.
‘It’s an exciting time for the women’s program with all of the new players and the energy that goes along with it,’ said Glassman. ‘Katherine Hanson and Salome Mkervalidze have already stood out in practice and they will probably play at or near the top of the line-up.’
Rounding up the newcomers are Emily Gevins, Gayatri Krishnan, and Anna Pieschl.
