Score: Hartwick College 7, Elmira College 2
Records: Hartwick (5-1, 3-1 E8), Elmira (2-4, 2-1 E8)
Location: Murray Athletic Center – Pine Valley, N.Y.
 
PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- Despite several inspiring performances throughout the afternoon, the Elmira College men's tennis team was unable to overcome an early deficit, as the Hawks of Hartwick College handed the Purple and Gold their first Empire 8 Conference loss of the season by a 7-2 final score.
 
The Hawks made routine work of EC in the doubles portion of the contest with a pair of 8-3 wins at first and second doubles, followed by an 8-4 victory at the No. 3 spot. In singles action, Elmira picked up a pair of wins in the upper half of the lineup with victories from Patrick Tracey '18 and Stephen Gervase '20 at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions, respectively.
 
In a battle between a pair of seniors, EC's Tracey prevailed against Hartwick's John Talbot, 6-3, 6-2. Talbot became the latest victim of Tracey's assault in singles action, as the Bardonia, New York, native improved to 6-0 at the top singles spot and a perfect 3-0 against Empire 8 opponents. Of his six singles wins, the last five have been registered in straight sets.
 
Gervase's match was one of the most exciting contests of the day, as the second-year talent fought tooth-and-nail for a thrilling three-set win, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2). The product of Lebanon, Connecticut, rallied from one set down to outlast Hartwick's Nick Adamou. Gervase's all-court game proved to be the difference, as solid ground strokes and a strong net game paved the way for his fourth consecutive win in singles action.
 
EC's Jordan Curtis '19 gave his counterpart from Hartwick, Jack Steinman, a scare at fourth singles with a gutsy performance. After dropping the first set, 6-2, Curtis clawed his way back into the match in the second set with a variety of shots from the baseline, including deep ground strokes and offensive top-spin lobs. Steinman had a chance to serve out the second set at 5-4, but Curtis was able to break the hard-serving Hawk and eventually win the tiebreaker at 7-2. Unfortunately, this was as close as Curtis would get, as Steinman's power proved to be too much down the stretch, resulting in a 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-3 setback for the EC netter. 
 
Scores
Singles
1. Patrick Tracey (ELMIRA) def. John Talbot (HARTWICK) 6-3, 6-2
2. Nikola Nedeljkovic (HARTWICK) def. Yaniv Kogan (ELMIRA) 6-2, 6-2
3. Stephen Gervase (ELMIRA) def. Nick Adamou (HARTWICK) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
4. Jack Steinman (HARTWICK) def. Jordan Curtis (ELMIRA) 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3
5. Tyler Adler (HARTWICK) def. Zackarie Stedge (ELMIRA) 6-0, 6-3
6. Casey Serdiouk (HARTWICK) def. Ravi Chauma (ELMIRA) 6-3, 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Talbot/Nedeljkovic (HARTWICK) def. Tracey/Gervase (ELMIRA) 8-3
2. Adamou/Steinman (HARTWICK) def. Kogan/Curtis (ELMIRA) 8-3
3. Adler/Serdiouk (HARTWICK) def. Stedge/Endieveri III (ELMIRA) 8-4
 
Order of Finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,1,5,4,3,6)
 
News and Notes

• Elmira suffered its first Empire 8 loss of the season.
• Tracey moved into a two-way tie for second place in career singles wins (35) with former teammate, Austin Mansell '16.
• Tracey is also one win shy of moving into a two-way tie in EC history for total wins with Gabe Cortes '11.
• Tracey extended his winning streak in singles matches to six straight.
• Gervase is also on a winning streak in singles action with four consecutive victories.

 
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to action on Wednesday, April 18, when they travel to Rochester, New York, to face the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College in Empire 8 action. The opening serve is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.