With the spring weather in full effect, the men's and women's tennis teams were able to take their home matches outdoors for the first time this season. It was Princeton tennis at its absolute best.
Turning around from tough losses in North Carolina, the women's team swept its match against St. John's, winning 7-0. The men's team had been on a winning streak for the past few matches, and the Red Storm posed no threat. The Tigers emerged victorious, taking the win 6-1.
The women's team went into the match knowing that St. John's would not be the toughest of obstacles so it dropped senior captain Priya Bhupathi from the singles line-up, allowing more of the team to play.
In the number one spot, junior Kavitha Krishnamurthy was down 4-1 in the first set, but bounced back to win, 6-4, 6-2. In the number two spot, senior co-captain Kristy Watson dominated the match, 6-0, 6-0 as did freshman Stephanie Berg in the number three spot.
"Going into the match, we expected to win but we knew they had good depth in the singles lineup so we knew it wasn't going to be totally easy," Krishnamurthy said.
"We had to play well to beat them 7-0. I think we're playing really well right now.
Coming back from playing Duke, where there was no pressure on us, we had nothing to lose but it's equally important for us to play a team like this where we were favored."
The team took the doubles point easily and all singles matches were won in just two sets. The Red Storm brought a seventh player in the singles lineup, allowing the Tigers to see their full potential in an exhibition match played by sophomore Alex Kobishyn, who came out victorious after playing a pro-set.
Most importantly, after an upset to North Carolina State due to unusual factors as well as it being their first outdoor match, the Tigers were able to return full force, practicing outside and thereby taking the Red Storm with ease.
"As a whole, it was really good for our confidence. It was our first home match outside and we adjusted well to the weather overall. I just think it was a good confidence booster. St John's was not too hard to beat, so the last people in lineup got to play which shows that our team has a lot of depth," said sophomore Vanti Bhargava.
On the men's side, it was just as successful of a match. Just as the women dropped Bhupathi from the lineup, the men were able to see some action in their younger players. Since freshman Josh Burman was out due to ineligibility because of an NCAA violation (accepting prize money at a professional tournament), Burman was forced to sit out three matches.
But all was not lost, as the Tigers saw the potential forces it had in some newer players. Freshmen David Gopstein and Blaise Goswami were able to compete for the first time, both winning their singles matches.
In doubles, the men saw their number one spot sweep to a win 8-0 by senior co-captain Judson Williams and sophomore Tim Kofol. Senior Darren Joe and sophomore Hendrik Chasse won 8-4 at number two, and sophomore Dan Friedman and freshman Scott Stewart won 8-6.
After winning four straight doubles matches to take the doubles point, the Tigers had a great deal of confidence going into singles. All of the first six sets were won — but St. John's was not going down without a bit of a struggle, taking the second sets at the number one, two, three, and six spots.
Despite the onset of a struggle, Trevor Smith pulled the victory in the end at the number one spot as did senior co-captain Nick Benjamin at number three and Goswami at number six. Friedman, playing at number two, was taken into a third set tiebreaker, losing in a close final set of 7-6.
"It was a tougher match than we anticipated," Joe said. "We had a lot of close three set matches — but our guys stayed tough and kept battling."
"It was our first match outdoors since the fall, and although I think we were a little rusty, we stayed aggressive, and ultimately, won. I think Scott Stewart and David Gopstein played especially well."
After playing the Red Storm, the men are now 7-3 while the women are 2-3.
If nothing else, the matches proved to show the Tigers what capabilities they have before the pressure of the Ivy season sets in.
Now with spring break coming up, both teams will head out west to California to play some of the best teams in the nation.
The men will face off against five teams, namely, Brigham Young, Clemson, San Diego, San Diego State and Minnesota-Twin Cities.
The women will take on Pepperdine, San Diego, and Loyola Marymount.
With the Ivy season roughly two weeks away, the Tigers will have ample time to practice before they take on Penn.
Read More
What’s an offseason? Jackson Green and Jay Mentink on being multi-sport athletes at Princeton
Doug SchwartzPrinceton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
Princeton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse routs No. 14 Towson 22–12, Mackesy breaks career goals record
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
With the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
Senior Coulter Mackesy, Pace Billings ’24, and Sam English ’23 drafted to Premier Lacrosse League
Hayk YengibaryanThe PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.
The PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.