Nate Mullendore won't have to get tennis coach Jason Hutchison a birthday present. The senior provided one of the best presents possible, rallying for a three-set victory at number five singles to give Wabash a 5-4 victory over Elmhurst College. The team had started Hutchison 30th birthday celebration with an easy 8-1 win over North Coast Athletic Conference foe Wittenberg earlier in the day.
Mullendore lost the first set of his singles match 4-6 and trailed 5-2 in the second set before mounting a spectacular comeback. He won the next five games to take the second set 7-5, then controlled the third set with a 6-2 win in the final match of the competition.
"Nathan has the mental toughness to perform in those types of situations," Hutchison said. "I could tell by his swagger in the second set he was taking control. He continued to control the match in that third set."
The Little Giants took two of the three doubles' matches to open play against Elmhurst. Adam Van Zee and Jay Horrey took the first flight 8-1, while Josh Paul and Dan Petrie won at third doubles by the same 8-1 score. Horrey battled to a 7-5, 6-0 victory over Anthony McPherson at number one singles. Sean Clerget swept sixth singles (6-4, 6-2) to improve to 15-5 overall for the season and 12-3 at number six singles.
"Sean has been steady all season," Hutchison added. "We needed a win from him to even the match at 4-4 with Nate still on the court. Sean played aggresively and stepped up to the challenge."
Wabash grabbed its second NCAC win of the season in the morning matches against Wittenberg. The Little Giants swept doubles play. Horrey and Van Zee won 8-2, while Clerget and Adrian Starnes won 8-1 at number two doubles. Paul and Petrie were perfect for the day with an 8-3 win at third doubles.
Horrey won in straight sets (6-1, 6-3) at number one singles. Paul took a 6-3, 6-1 victory in the third flight, while Starnes went three sets at fourth singles before coming away with a 6-4, 2-6, 10-5 win. Mullendore had an easier time against the Tigers at fifth singles with a 6-2, 6-2 vicotry. Clerget was a 6-1, 6-0 winner at sixth singles.
Wabash (11-8, 2-3 NCAC) will travel to Albion, Michigan next weekend to play in the Great Lakes Colleges Association Tennis Tournament.