SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. - The Hendrix College men's tennis team opened their fall season with a 9-0 sweep of John Brown University on Saturday. Seniors Robert Sheets and Bob Berardi led the team to their first win of the season.

The Warriors came out of doubles play with a 3-0 lead to take an early advantage. Sheets and Berardi teamed at first doubles to take an 8-5 match at the top flight. Ian McVinney and Kiran Chakka edged out the Golden Eagles' second doubles duo to earn a 9-7 win, and Karthik Garimella combined with Kristian Lenser to earn an 8-4 win at the third flight.

In singles, the Warriors finished as dominant as they started with five of the six flights coming in straight-set victories. At the second singles flight, McVinney came out of the gate on fire, taking the first set 6-0, but stumbled in the second set. John Brown's Colton Cheek rallied to take the second set 7-5, but McVinney recollected himself to win the third-set super-breaker 10-8 to complete the sweep for Hendrix.

The squad improves to 1-0 on the season and will return to action on Sept. 23 when they travel to Clarksville, Ark. to take on University of the Ozarks.

Hendrix 9, John Brown 0
Sep 20, 2014 at Siloam Springs, Ark. 

Singles competition

1. Robert Sheets (HC) def. Alex Baker (JBU) 6-1, 6-2

2. Ian McVinney (HC) def. Colton Cheek (JBU) 6-0, 5-7, 1-0 (10-8)

3. Bob Berardi (HC) def. Kamal Fulghern (JBU) 6-1, 6-2

4. Kiran Chakka (HC) def. Seong Jae Jo (JBU) 6-3, 6-1

5. Kristian Lenser (HC) def. Blake Zoellner (JBU) 6-3, 6-2

6. Karthik Garimella (HC) def. Luke Pascoe (JBU) 6-1, 6-1

 

Doubles competition

1. Robert Sheets/Bob Berardi (HC) def. Colton Cheek/Kamal Fulghern (JBU) 8-5

2. Ian McVinney/Kiran Chakka (HC) def. Alex Baker/Seong Jae Jo (JBU) 9-7

3. Karthik Garimella/Kristian Lenser (HC) def. Blake Zoellner/Luke Pascoe (JBU) 8-4