LEXINGTON, Va. – It may have been more razor-thin in the second edition of No. 37 Averett University men's tennis and No. 65 Randolph College in the ODAC tournament semifinals. Like last time, the Cougars' depth proved to be stronger in the latter stages, defeating the WildCats, 4-2, and booked its spot in the conference championship.
It may have been a later start than expected for both squads, but Randolph did not seem to be shaken by the changed conditions, showing out first in doubles by taking the top flight.
Florian Bert and
Lucas Fiandra nearly went fully the distance at the third slot, but broke at the right time, and pulled away to win 7-5 versus Jason Duval and Ondra Pelda.
Rafael Jodas and
Sam Egui had their most intense match as a duo this season, with not just a win, but the first point on the line in the semifinals match. Carlos Haupt and Vinchenzo Marchese fought the Cougars to the set tiebreak, and went 14 points. 8-6 went in favor of the Danville-based squad, and rose up to lead 1-0 with singles on deck.
Six matches potentially to play, but just three needed for Averett.
Prabjeet Chandhok answered the call first, roaring to a 6-2, 6-2 win. In fine form, Chandhok has now won five straight, with his 10th win at the spot just three above him.
Randolph would end its scoreless streak dating back to the last dual, as Marchese took a point at No. 3 singles.
Jaeden Mukkaladyil avenged his doubles loss from earlier, and one-upped Jacob Marin at the second slot, coming up on top with a perfect 6-0 set in the third, and a 3-1 lead for the Cougars.
The last of the first four singles matches would go in the favor of the other cats, as Randolph was nearly at level with Averett, with just a 3-2 lead with the last two singles battles, five and six that kicked off the remainder of team semifinal play.
Fiandra had a moment to remember in his young collegiate career thus far for the Cougars, as the freshman helped his team advance to the ODAC championship, winning the team's fourth point with a perfect, 6-0, 6-0 to dispatch Dev Mani.
A rather impressive record now stood for the men's team with the win, as head coach
Bert Poole is now officially three for three in ODAC finals appearances since the school joined the conference three years ago.
Averett gets its second shot at foes and hosts No. 23 Washington and Lee University in the championship tomorrow afternoon, following the conclusion of the women's tennis finals with the same two schools. Start time is set for 1 p.m.
