Men’s tennis (8–1) has had an outstanding start to the spring season. Since losing their opening match 9–0 to nationally-ranked #2 Middlebury College in early March, the team has been on an eight-match winning streak, including five non-conference matches in Florida over spring break. This marks the first time the program has recorded over five wins in a season since 2015.
The loss to Middlebury was followed by an exciting 5–4 victory over Colby College the next weekend, which captain Matthew Haas ’19 described as, “The best win I have been part of in my time at Hamilton.”
Max Zimmerman ’21 lost his first set but ended up winning the first flight singles match and later won at second flight doubles with partner Danny Tsyvin ’22. Other wins came from Tim Derby ’21, Joe Reiner ’22, and Jafar Sharipov ’21 in fourth, fifth and sixth flight singles, respectively.
Haas praised the team’s attitude and enthusiasm: “The bench brings constant energy and never stops cheering […] It was remarkable to see how much encouragement and energy each player was bringing for the entire 5-hour match. Every player on the team, along with the coaches, deserves credit for that win.”
After returning from their successful spring break trip, the team recorded a dominant 9–0 win over Utica College on Friday, Apr. 5. In this match, Reiner won at first flight singles and then at first flight doubles with Lars Scannell ’19, who remains undefeated in doubles this season. Sharipov also won both second flight singles followed by second flight doubles with Eamon Gibbons ’21.
Reiner has stood out as an impressive first-year player so far, now with a team-high 15–2 record in singles matches. He has mainly played in fifth flight singles and also has a 3–1 individual record in doubles.
Haas commended Reiner’s “maturity and composure on the court as a first year. He is so calm and collected […] and has played some incredible matches under pressure that have led our team to exciting wins.”
Another first year who has made an immediate contribution to the team, especially for the doubles lineup, is Tsyvin.
Haas says, “Danny came into college with such an extensive understanding of doubles that has not only added depth to the lineup but made the other doubles players much better. Danny brings an energy, passion and work ethic that is unmatched.”
Tsyvin and his doubles partner, Zimmerman, both currently have a team-high doubles record of 13–4 and usually play in either first or second flight doubles.
Along with the new player additions to the team, Haas attributes much of the success this season to the improved team chemistry. “Our team is super close and is always having loads of fun on the court […] You can really tell the players are playing for something bigger than themselves and want to win for the team and Hamilton […] Having a roster of 18 [players] has provided our team with loads of depth and consistency that has really pushed everyone to the next level.”
The tennis program also added a new assistant coach this past summer, Hannah Fleckenstein, who Haas has praised as a crucial component to the team’s growth so far.
On Saturday, Apr. 6, the team hosted Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) at Hamilton’s Tietje Family Tennis Center for the Children’s Heart Awareness Match. The Children’s Heart Foundation aims to spread awareness and fund research for congenital heart defects, which is the most common birth defect in America.
The match against RIT was another decisive win for the Continentals who once again swept all nine matches in an all-around impressive performance. Five out of six players in the singles lineup — Zimmerman, Reiner, Tsyvin, Derby and Sam Farber ’20 — also played in and won their doubles matches. Sharipov also improved his season record to 9–2 with his win at fifth flight singles.
The team hopes to keep their momentum going, both for the remainder of the season and for years to come.
Haas, who is playing in his last season at Hamilton, said, “The starting lineup is made up mainly by first and second years that have improved greatly since last year […] With their continuous dedication and focus, the team is going to get even better and I can’t wait to see the level they are able to reach.”
The Continentals’ next home match is against NESCAC opponent Bowdoin College on Saturday, Apr. 13 at 11:00 AM at the Tietje Family Tennis Center.
