CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Franklin & Marshall men's tennis team was edged by a 5-4 score at Washington College on Saturday afternoon in Centennial Conference play. The Diplomats were up 2-1 after a pair of thrilling wins during doubles action, but the Shoremen took four of the six singles matches to secure the conference win.
The Diplomats got out to their early lead as the No. 2 pairing (Gonzalo Gentou/Pedro Norte) and No. 3 pairing (Anthony Casale/Isaac Rockower) each came away with 8-6 victories. Both of those pairings for the Diplomats remained undefeated in Centennial Conference play together as each improved their records to 3-0 as teammates in conference doubles competition.
Washington College bounced back from that early deficit in doubles with wins at each of the top three singles positions and ultimately clinched the match with a victory at No. 6 singles. Pedro Norte stopped the momentum for the time being with a straight-set 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles. With his latest victory, Norte is now tied for the team lead with seven singles wins. Luke Brodsky closed the match with a three-set comeback at No. 4 singles. Following a tough opening set, Brodsky rebounded nicely with back-to-back 6-4 wins that improved him to 3-1 in conference play this year and gave him six singles wins in total.
Men's tennis returns home this upcoming week for Centennial Conference matches against Gettysburg (Wednesday; 4 p.m.) and Haverford (Saturday; 12 p.m.). Those matches mark the Diplomats' final two home contests of the regular season.
Washington College 5, Franklin & Marshall 4
Doubles
1: Karl Hoegstedt/Andre Jakobi (WAC) def. Zac Ashtiani/Luke Brodsky (F&M); 8-4)
2: Gonzalo Gentou/Pedro Norte (F&M) def. Jack Fanshawe/Landon Strober (WAC); 8-6
3: Anthony Casale/Isaac Rockower (F&M) def. Christian Gruyon/Ryhei Kawai (WAC); 8-6
Singles
1: Karl Hoegstedt (WAC) def. Zac Ashtiani (F&M); 6-1, 6-2
2: Landon Strober (WAC) def. Isaac Rockower (F&M); 6-2, 6-1
3: Andre Jakobi (WAC) def. Gonzalo Gentou (F&M); 6-0, 6-0
4: Luke Brodsky (F&M) def. Jack Fanshawe (WAC); 0-6, 6-4, 6-4
5: Pedro Norte (F&M) def. Aaradith Ravichandran (WAC); 6-3, 6-4
6: Christian Gruyon (WAC) def. Anthony Casale (F&M); 6-1, 6-3
