WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Rollins men's tennis team opened its fall slate over the weekend, hosting Army West Point and New College of Florida for the Duel on the Lake. Despite rain and lightning impacting play throughout the weekend, the Tars put together a strong showing in their first competition of the new season.
The hidden dual followed traditional spring match scoring, save for a third-set tiebreaker, while mixing opponents from all three teams throughout each round of competition.
Rollins got off to a strong start in doubles Saturday morning.
Pete Tran and
Noe Milliard earned a 6-0 victory over Army's Mazzola and Achter, while
Kristoffer Dalbak and
Pietro Cappellaro followed with a 6-3 win over Callahan and Dillon.
Tom Saporta and
Lawson Prather completed the opening doubles sweep with a 7-5 victory over Quinnones and Lemos of New College.
The Tars carried the momentum into singles play with a strong showing across the board. Milliard took the opening set 6-1 against Army's Mazzola before dropping a tight second, 4-6, and responding with a 10-6 win in the deciding tiebreak. Tran rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Callahan, while Prather and Dalbak secured straight-set wins over Army's Achter (7-5, 6-2) and Dillon (6-3, 6-0), respectively.
Cappellaro added another three-set victory for Rollins, taking his match 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 over Laskowski of New College. Saporta rounded out the morning with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over New College's Matteo.
Later Saturday, freshman
Brian Tremblay teamed with Cappellaro for a 6-2 doubles victory over New College's Markovic and Lee. Dalbak and Tremblay followed with singles victories, as Dalbak cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 result over Liohki and Tremblay earned a 6-1, 6-4 win over Balon.
Competition resumed Sunday morning, with Tremblay and Saporta teaming up for the Tars in doubles. The pair made quick work of New College's Balon and Barcia, earning a 6-1 victory.
Prather and Tremblay returned to the courts for singles action, with both earning straight-set wins. Prather took down Markovic 6-2, 6-0, while Tremblay defeated L. Lee 6-0, 6-4.
The Tars got one final round of doubles underway against New College on Sunday afternoon before Florida weather again interrupted play. Saporta and Cappellaro earned a 6-1 victory over Laskowski and Duran, while Dalbak and Prather secured a 6-3 win over Janiakian and Barcia. Tran and Milliard held a 4-3 advantage over Connelly and Fidler, but their match was left unfinished.
The weekend provided Rollins with an early opportunity to see the new-look group compete together while identifying areas of focus over the coming weeks. The Tars welcomed new matchups with Army West Point while once again competing alongside a familiar opponent in New College.
Weather proved to be a factor throughout the event, with multiple rain and lightning delays forcing adjustments to the weekend schedule. Rollins also recognized athletic trainers Peyton and Alyssa for their work throughout the delays and changing conditions.
Rollins will now turn its attention toward the ITA Regionals, set for Oct. 16-19.
