FIGHTING TIGER MEN’S TENNIS UPSETS MOHAWK VALLEY 5-4

The SUNY Cobleskill men’s tennis team posted a 5-4 upset victory over the defending Mountain Valley Conference Champions from Mohawk Valley Community in league action yesterday at the Cobleskill Tennis Complex. The Fighting Tigers came back from a 4-2 deficit after singles play to sweep the doubles portion of the match securing the victory and improving their overall record to 3-0 on the year with a 2-0 record versus league opponents.

The only highlights in singles competition for the Orange & Black was the continued strong play of senior captain Greg Klopfer, Voorheesville, NY, Voorheesville High School, who won at the number three singles spot in straight sets by scores of 6-2 and 6-1 and freshman Zak Kraehmer, Wallkill, NY, Wallkill High School, who took the number four singles spot in dominant fashion by scores of 6-0 and 6-0. 

Facing a 4-2 deficit with the Hawks needing only one win to secure the victory; the Fighting Tigers rallied in impressive fashion. Greg Klopfer and Zak Kraehmer struck first at the number two doubles spot posting an impressive victory by scores of 6-3 and 6-1 followed by an equally impressive victory by the Cobleskill number three doubles squad of senior Andy Crane, Exeter, ME, Dexter Regional High School, and freshman Brian Huber, Floral Park, NY, Bayside High School, who took their contest by scores of 6-2 and 6-4.

With the match knotted at 4-4, all eyes turned to court number one where the Fighting Tiger number one singles team of senior John Hazelton, Greenville, NY, Greenville High School, and freshman Jeremy McMichael, Binghamton, NY, Susquehanna High School, had dropped the first set by a score of 6-3. Over the next two sets the Cobleskill duo stifled the Hawks top team by scores of 6-4 and 6-3 to post the win and secure a victory for the home team.

“In a nutshell it came down to what we’ve been focusing on all season, improving our doubles play,” said Fighting Tiger Head Coach Scott Hill. “In past years our singles play sustained us but today everyone stepped up big in doubles play and our number one doubles team of John Hazelton and Jeremy McMichael showed definitively why they our number one squad. You also have to tip your hat to Greg Klopfer and Zak Kraehmer who have been our team’s backbone through the early part of the season.”

TIGER NOTES: Former Fighting Tiger NJCAA Region III Champion Steve Weiss, Getzville, NY, is currently competing for NCAA Division II member The University of Charleston of West Virginia in Charleston, WV. Weiss is currently 6-6 in singles play and 2-10 in doubles action for the Golden Eagles who are 4-8 overall on the season to date.