Pine Valley, NY -- The EC Men's Tennis team picked up their first Empire 8 win of the season as they defeated the Saxons of Alfred University. Elmira was able to get two doubles points and earned another four as they went on to take the match 6-3.
EC jumped out to a 2-1 lead as Elmira's third and second doubles teams earned wins. At the third spot Gorav Simlote '13 (Syracuse, NY -- Jamesville-Dewitt) and Sam Pine '14 (Elmira Heights, NY -- Thomas Edison) earned an 8-5 win. The duo trailed early 4-3 but would break, hold, and break again for a 6-3 lead. Both teams would hold serves to end the match in favor of the Soaring Eagles.
At second doubles Ryan Patterson '11 (Brattleboro, VT -- Brattleboro Union) and Steffan Waters '13 (Elmira, NY -- Elmira Free Academy) claimed an 8-3 victory. The doubles combo trailed 3-2 before taking 6 straight games for the win.
Entering singles play with a 2-1 lead Elmira would need 3 points for the team victory. EC would go up 3-1 as Gabe Cortes '11 (Miami, FL -- Miami Country Day School) won at first singles 6-2, 6-1. Simlote would make it 4-1 as he rolled at fourth singles 6-1, 6-0.
Alfred would get their first point of the day at third singles, bringing the team score to 4-2. Eric Klinedinst '12 (York, PA -- Northeastern) would seal the win for Elmira as took his match at the second position by the score of 6-2, 7-5.
With the match already decided, Pine would tally Elmira's last point of the day at the sixth singles spot. Pine would take the first set at 6-3, then rally for a 7-5 second set victory.
With the win Elmira improves to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Empire 8 play. The Soaring Eagles will be back in action on Saturday, April 9th as they host the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College. Match-time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Elmira College 6 Alfred University 3
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