Davis and Elkins Defeats Cedarville In Spring Home Opener

Cedarville, OH –The Cedarville men’s tennis team has grown accustomed to blustery conditions.

“We’re used to this kind of wind here at Cedarville,” coach Allan Edlund said.

However, their weather prowess was no match for Davis and Elkins College’s consistency Friday. The Jackets lost the spring home opener to the Senators 7-2.

The wind affected both teams. It blew serve tosses backward, sent volleys sailing into neighboring courts, and plummeted ground strokes into the net. However, Edlund said the wind added to the competiveness today.

“It was a match in very difficult conditions,” Edlund said. “Our team came out and played really well on the win.

“It was a good team we were playing. [We hoped] the wind would equalize the playing field, and I think it did a little bit.”

The two victories came from the number five and six singles players, Jared Gerber and Stephen Combs. Gerber beat William Hill 6-3, 6-4, and Combs defeated Guilherme Hubsch 4-6, 6-4, 13-11.

Edlund credits Gerber’s success with his experience and ability to stay calm even in adverse conditions.

“Jared, being a senior, he’s just very steady,” Edlund said. “He doesn’t get upset. Nothing bothers him.

“He just played very solid, didn’t let up, even when the wind was against him.”

Combs’ match was a little more dramatic. He won the first set then lost the second, sending the game into a super tiebreaker.

“Stevie the freshman got his win a little bit differently,” Edlund said. “He just tried to play smart and played his guts out, and with a lot of heart.”

Despite the loss, Edlund believes the Jackets (5-5, 0-1 G-MAC) will continue to improve.

“We played well at the start of the season and the hope is that we progress,” Edlund said. “We’re going to play a lot of teams just like this one. So hopefully [the loss] prepares us for that.”

Cedarville next travels to Oakland City for a non-conference game at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Davis and Elkins (3-1, 1-0 G-MAC) travels to Central State at noon on March 15.