FIGHTING TIGER MEN’S TENNIS DOWNS HOLYOKE CC 5-4

“I think we can do as well as we did last season but that hinges on our two returning seniors Steve Weiss and Andy Steiner helping our freshman class make the jump to the college level game quickly.” Fighting Tiger Tennis Coach Scott Hill speaking about his season expectations in the team’s 2007 season preview.

On Monday the SUNY Cobleskill men’s tennis team’s senior class made their presence felt, playing a major role in a 5-4 victory over the defending NJCAA Region XXI champion Cougars of Holyoke Community College, at the Cobleskill Tennis Complex. The victory evens the Fighting Tigers’ season record at 1-1 on the year.

Defending NJCAA Region III first singles champion senior Steve Weiss, Getzville, NY, Williamsville North High School, served notice to the visiting Cougars early on that it was a day for those wearing Orange & Black apparel winning in straight sets by scores of 6-3 and 6-4. Weiss’s fellow senior Andy Steiner, Perry, NY, Perry High School, showed experience and maturity rallying to win his match at number two singles. After losing the first set by a 7-5 margin; Steiner stormed back, to take the make by scores of 6-4 and 6-0 respectively.

Not known during their freshman campaign for their doubles play, the senior duo delivered the match to the home team in dramatic fashion. After dropping the first set at the number one singles slot by a 6-4 tally; the Cobleskill veterans systematically dismantled their opponents by subsequent scores of 6-2 and 6-1 to deliver the match to the Fighting Tigers.

At the number three singles Cobleskill received an impressive victory from freshman John Hazelton, Greenville, NY, Greenville High School, who battled back from game point on several occasions to secure the victory by scores of 7-6 and 7-6. Fellow freshman Greg Klopfer, Voorheesville, NY, Voorheesville High School, also showed grit at the number four singles rallying to win his first set by a 7-6 margin then taking the second set by a score of 6-3.

“I’m very proud of the way we battled today in all of our matches and I’m especially proud of Steve and Andy for their heart, determination and leadership,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Scott Hill. “The way we competed on the court was very reminiscent of last year when we were not the prettiest team to watch but we found a way to get the job done by just grinding things out. What we my lack in skill we have to make up for in mental toughness and I think we took a major step towards that today.” 

The Fighting Tigers will return to action on Wednesday April 4th when they host the Hawks of Mohawk Valley Community College in the team’s 2007 Mountain Valley Conference opener at the Cobleskill Tennis Complex beginning at 4:00 PM.