Pine Valley, NY -- EC Men's Tennis dropped their second Empire 8 contest of the season as the Bomber of Ithaca College go the better of the Soaring Eagles, 7-2. Elmira was unable to claim any doubles points but were able to capture two singles contests.
In doubles play Ithaca took all three matches but not without any resistance. Second doubles combo Ryan Patterson '11 (Brattleboro, VT -- Brattleboro Union) and Steffan Waters '13 (Elmira, NY -- Elmira Free Academy) pushed the Bombers to an 8-6 finish. At one point the EC duo held a 6-4 lead before Ithaca strung together four straight for the win.
At first singles Gabe Cortes '11 (Miami, FL -- Miami Country Day School) took on Josh Rifkin '11, a player that is currently ranked 10th in the northeast region according to the ITA. Rifkin took the first set as he jumped to a 4-0 lead and would eventually take the set 6-2. Cortes would refocus for the second set as he would open play with a hold of serve. Cortes would hold serve with ease for most of the set and would challenge Rifkin on his service games but both players would rise to the occasion and hold.
At 4-3 Cortes finally pushed Rifkin enough to get the break and earn the right to serve out the set. Cortes would go down early in the service game love-40. With the early deficit the Florida native rallied for three straight points to even it up at deuce. He would eventually go on to hold and claim the set at 6-3.
With the match already decided a super tie-breaker was played to decide the third and final set. Cortes would again go down early, this time 4-2 in the breaker. Rifkin would keep the pressure on as he would go up 8-4 with a serve of his own for a chance at 9-4. Cortes would dig deep to get the mini-break and win both of his service points to bring the breaker to 8-7. Rifkin would take the next point and have a match point on his own service but Cortes would come up with the answer to bring the score back to 9-8. He would then go on to hold both of his service points to make it 10-9. Rifkin would hold again but Cortes would again get the mini-break and a chance for the match. Cortes would go on to win the next point and claim a 2-6, 6-3, 12-10 victory for the Soaring Eagles.
At the fourth spot Gorav Simlote '13 (Syracuse, NY -- Jamesville-Dewitt) also participated in a three setter. The Syracuse native rolled in the first set, 6-1 but would struggle greatly in the second as his opponent took the set at love.
Because the match was already decided, a super-breaker was again needed to decide the third set. Simlote would jump out to an early 4-0 lead before Ithaca's Kyle Reither '14 claimed his first point. Simlote would again go on another run claiming three straight points before Reither claimed another, brining the score to 7-2. With a comfortable lead, Simlote would take the next three points to earn the 6-1, 0-6, 10-2 win.
Elmira will be back in action on Thursday, April 7th as they travel to take on the Saxons of Alfred University. Match-time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Elmira College 2 Ithaca College 7
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