A 4-3 victory over Ohio Wesleyan Monday night meant more than just the ninth win of the season for the Wabash tennis team. The win gave the Little Giants the final spot in the 2006 North Coast Athletic Conference Men's Tennis Tournament.
"Our goal from the start of the season has been to earn a spot in the NCAC Tourney," said Head Coach Jason Hutchison after the final home match of the 2005-06 season. "We've lost a lot of close matches this season. For the team to hang together this close to the end of the year with finals just around the corner and win this match is impressive."
The Little Giants scored the first team point of the match by taking two of the three double's matches from the Battling Bishops. Freshman Jay Horrey and junior Adam Van Zee (left) made quick work of their first flight doubles match. The due combined for an 8-0 victory. PT Prosinski and Dan Petrie scored an 8-6 win at number three doubles. (View photos from Monday's match.)
Horrey picked up his 24th win of the season and his 20th at first singles with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Dave Kubacki. Nathan Mullendore won at sixth singles in straight sets (6-3, 6-3) to put the Little Giants one win away from a team victory.
Prosinski (right) would trail 7-5 in his first set at fourth singles, but would rally to take the next set 6-3 before sweeping the final set 6-0 to give Wabash the match.
The win sends the team back to the conference tournament after failing to earn a spot last season. The tournament draw will be announced later this week by the league, with play scheduled to begin Saturday, April 29 at Kenyon College. The Lords are the four-time NCAC defending champions.