HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Lebanon Valley College men's tennis team has opened its 2005 season in sunny Hilton Head, S.C.
On Monday, the Flying Dutchmen kicked off the campaign with a 4-3 loss to Bridgewater (Va.), then dropped a 6-1 decision to Catholic. Then on Tuesday, the Valley picked up its first win of the year with a 4-3 triumph over Cabrini.
Against Bridgewater, the Eagles captured the doubles point with wins at the second and third flights. The Dutchmen captured three singles matches, with sophomore Erik Vargo winning 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1, sophomore Stu Hartman scoring a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) victory at No. 2, and senior Zach Cook earning a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 win at No. 4.
Lebanon Valley and Catholic did not hold any doubles matches but seven singles contests were played instead. Vargo was the Valley's lone winner against the Cardinals, picking up a 5-7, 6-4, 10-5 victory for his second win of the day.
Against Cabrini, Lebanon Valley grabbed the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Vargo and freshman Zach Kaufman won 8-6 at first doubles before Cook and junior John Henry earned a 9-7 victory at the third slot.
Cabrini and LVC split the six singles matches. Vargo pushed his record to 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles, while Kaufman scored his first collegiate victory with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) win at No. 3. Freshman Shawn Becker also came away with his first victory on the college circuit with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 5.
Lebanon Valley continues its Spring Break trip when it takes on Marywood at noon on Wednesday.
Lebanon Valley-Bridgewater
SINGLES
1. Erik Vargo (LV) def. Doug May, 6-3, 6-2
2. Stu Hartman (LV) def. Jarrod Spessard, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
3. J.P. Bonilla (B) def. Zach Kaufman, 6-3, 7-5
4. Zach Cook (LV) def. David Behm, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
5. Ryan Smith (B) def. Shawn Becker, 6-3, 6-3
6. Brent Campbell (B) def. Phil Rhodes, 6-2, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Vargo/Hartman (LV) def. May/Bonilla, 8-3
2. Spessard/Behm (B) def. Kaufman/Becker, 9-7
3. Smith/Campbell (B) def. John Henry/Cook, 8-6
Lebanon Valley-Catholic
SINGLES
1. Erik Vargo (LV) def. John Dillon, 7-5, 6-4 (10-5)
2. Andrew Kracht (C) def. Stu Hartman, 6-2, 6-0
3. Andrew Kelly (C) def. Zach Kaufman, 6-2, 6-1
4. Davis DeStefano (C) def. Zach Cook, 6-2, 6-1
5. Emmet Donnelly (C) def. Shawn Becker, 6-2, 6-0
6. Keith Roberson (C) def. Phil Rhodes, 6-0, 7-5
7. Andrew Malone (C) def. John Henry, 6-0, 7-5
NO DOUBLES COMPETITION
Lebanon Valley-Cabrini
SINGLES
1. Erik Vargo (LV) def. Jack Keller, 6-3, 6-0
2. Matt Ingram (C) def. Stu Hartman, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3
3. Zach Kaufman (LV) def. Bill Mariano, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2)
4. Mike Digman (C) def. Zach Cook, 6-0, 6-2
5. Shawn Becker (LV) def. John Lobb, 6-3, 6-1
6. Mike Sofia (C) def. Phil Rhodes, 6-2, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Vargo/Hartman (LV) def. Keller/Mariano, 8-6
2. Ingram/Digman (C) def. Becker/Kaufman, 8-4
3. Cook/John Henry (LV) def. Lobb/John Casparro, 9-7
[Photo - Sophomore Erik Vargo, who has won his first three singles matches of the season]
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