Williams Falls to Gustavus-Adolphus in NCAA Quarterfinals

Courtesy Williams Sports Information

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - After falling in all three doubles matches, Williams mounted an incredible comeback against the Gusties squad in singles play to even the score at 4-4. At number four singles, sophomore Gary Simonette had won the first set 7-5, but Gustavus Adolphus' Mike Burdakin stormed ahead to grab the final two sets, the decisive winning point, and a spot for his squad in the NCAA Men's Tennis semifinals.

Prior to today's match, Ephs head coach Dave Johnson had expressed worry about the strength of the Gusties' doubles teams. Because of the new scoring system in which a match is played to determination, Johnson feared a potential 3-0 hole that could be impossible to bounce back from. His worst fears came true as Williams could not tally a doubles victory.

Despite improved doubles play over the season, the Ephs could muster enough to beat any Gusties pairs this afternoon. Midway into the start of the match the teams were forced to move play indoors. Heading into indoors play, Dan Greenberg and Bret Thacher led their opponents 3-2, while Nick Lebedoff and Gary Simonette were only down 3-2 at court two. At court three, Williams had fallen behind 5-2.

Gustavus Adolphus' Charlie Paukert and Mike Burdakin swept the final five games to take court two with ease, 8-2. Surprisingly the typically dominant Williams duo of Ted Haley and Jeremy Weinberger fell short at #3 doubles, 8-4. The pair had entered competition today with an unblemished 10-0 record. Greenberg and Thacher's match remained close throughout, and the Ephs had a chance to close the gap and head into singles play only down by one point. The match was forced to a tiebreak where they fell 9-8 (7-4).

Defeat loomed near but a resilient Ephs squad would not back down. Nick Lebedoff and Karol Furmaga won two straight set matches to bring Williams into contention for the victory. With the score now narrowed to 3-2, Williams continued to fight.

Ted Haley was defeated at number one singles, but Rick Devlin and Dan Greenberg tallied two victories to even the score before the Ephs suffered the heartbreaking loss at number four singles. Greenberg had kept the Ephs alive after rallying from a first set loss in a tiebreak, 6-7(3), to clinch the final two sets by comfortable scores of 6-1, 6-2.

Gustavus Adolphus ups their record to 27-8, and will face UC-Santa Cruz in semifinal action tomorrow. Williams finishes their season with an overall record of 16-7.

Senior and captain Ted Haley will compete in NCAA singles competition following team play, while junior Dan Greenberg is an alternate selection for the northeast if another player in the region cannot participate.

Doubles                  
1. Jesse Brauer/Andy Bryan (GUSTAVUS) def. Daniel Greenberg/Bret Thacher (WILLIAMS) -- 9-8 (7-4)
2. Charlie Paukert/Mike Burdakin (GUSTAVUS) def. Nick Lebedoff/Gary Simonette (WILLIAMS) -- 8-2
3. Ben Tomasek/Nick Hansen (GUSTAVUS) def. Ted Haley/Jeremy Weinberger (WILLIAMS) -- 8-4

Singles
1. Andy Bryan (GUSTAVUS) def. Ted Haley (WILLIAMS) -- 7-5, 6-4
2. Daniel Greenberg (WILLIAMS) def. Jesse Brauer (GUSTAVUS) -- 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-2
3. Nick Lebedoff (WILLIAMS) def. John Kauss (GUSTAVUS) -- 6-3, 6-1
4. Mike Burdakin (GUSTAVUS) def. Gary Simonette (WILLIAMS) -- 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
5. Karol Furmaga (WILLIAMS) def. Charlie Paukert (GUSTAVUS) -- 6-3, 6-3
6. Rick Devlin (WILLIAMS) def. Danny Suchy (GUSTAVUS) -- 6-2, 6-2