Williams Edges UC Santa Cruz in NCAA Men's Tennis Semifinals

Courtesy Williams Sports Information

LEWISTON, Maine - Williams squeaked by UC Santa Cruz 4-3 to advance in the NCAA Men's Tennis Final. The victory included two three-set matches, highlighted by Eph Jeff Kivitz’s victory at No. 3 singles to seal the victory. With the score tied at 3-3, an Eph victory was riding on Kivitz’s shoulders. The sophomore (pictured right) pulled through, breaking serve to beat UCSC’s Kevin Casey 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 6-4 to give Williams the semifinal win and its fourth straight national championship match appearance.

Williams won two of three doubles matches to take an early 1-0 lead. Andrew Murray and Daniel Murray clinched the point with a win at first doubles. Kivitz and Scott MacKenzie added an 8-4 win at third doubles for the Ephs.

UC Santa Cruz came back strong, defeating Andrew Murray at No. 1 singles and Daniel Murray at No. 2 singles, both in straight sets. Williams held on to a one-point edge, with MacKenzie posting a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles and Lex Urban winning 6-4, 6-4 at No. 6 singles.

John Haywood’s loss at No. 4 singles tied the score for to set up Kivitz’s deciding match.

The Ephs, now 13-5 on the season, will face New England Small College Athletic Conference rival Middlebury in the championship match at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Williams lost to Middlebury 6-1 on April 7, but won four of six head-to-head matches in the NESCAC tournament 18 days later. The Ephs hope to take their competitiveness all the way to capture their fourth NCAA title in six years.

Williams (13-5) 4, UC Santa Cruz 3

Singles Results
1. Matt Seeberger (UCSC) def. Andrew Murray (Williams) 6-2, 6-3
2. Brian Casey (UCSC) def. Daniel Murray (Williams) 6-2, 6-2
3. Jeff Kivitz (Williams) def. Kevin Casey (UCSC) 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 6-4
4. Shane Templeman (UCSC) def. John Haywood (Williams) 6-1, 0-6, 6-2
5. Scott MacKenzie (Williams) def. Matt Bruner (UCSC) 6-2, 6-1
6. Lex Urban (Williams) def. Andrew Cohen (UCSC) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles Results
1. A. Murray/D. Murray (Williams) def. Bruner/Kellen Ali Christie (UCSC) 8-6
2. Templeman/Seeberger (UCSC) def. Haywood/Urban (Williams) 8-4
3. Kivitz/MacKenzie (Williams) def. B. Casey/K. Casey (UCSC) 8-4