Ephs Power Past Bowdoin, Bates

BRUNSWICK, ME - Despite facing some tough opposition, the #17 Ephs (14-8) performed brilliantly in their first two rounds of the NESCAC Championships to setup a final against Trinity tomorrow.

The Ephs' first quarterfinal match had them squaring up against tournament hosts Bowdoin (9-8), currently ranked #23 in the nation.

The men got off to a solid start against the Polar Bears and never let up. In the first round of play, senior co-captains Will Means (#3) and Carl Shuck (#5) continued on their recent rock solid play with a pair of 3-0 wins. Freshman Charles "Chas" Merrill battled throughout, but lost a tight four game match, the only point the Ephs would drop to the hosts.

Juniors Wyatt Khosrowshahi (#2) and AJ Solecki (#6) took to the court next, joined by senior David Pincus (#7). The second round trio did all the team could have asked, delivering three 3-0 wins to take the match score to 5-1, guarenteeing the victory for Williams.

With the match closed, sophomore Jacob Bassil (#1), freshman Udai Pal (#4), and junior Tucker van Eck (#9) got their turn. Like the trio before them, they turned in mirroring results, with three 3-1 wins to leave the final score at 8-1 to the Ephs.

In the second match of the day, the tournament semifinal, the men took on perpetual NESCAC rival Bates (10-6), ranked #19 in the nation.

Once again, the Ephs got off to a quick start and kept their foot on the gas throughout. This time around, senior co-captain Claude Smith came back into the lineup, meaning the three senior co-captains led off for the purple cows. Will Means and Carl Shuck were at it once again, with another pair of 3-0 wins. Smith added a 3-1 win of his own to give the men a 3-0 lead.

After the three leadoff seniors had done their job, fellow senior David Pincus (#7), along with juniors Wyatt Khosrowshahi (#2) and AJ Solecki (#6). Pincus was in control from start to finish in a commanding 3-0 win. Khosrowshahi and Solecki each found themselves locked in brutal battles, but eventually triumphed 3-1 and 3-2, respectively, leaving the Ephs with a 6-0 lead and the match more than sealed.

The last wave featured a group of underclassmen in freshmen Udai Pal (#4) and Charles "Chas" Merrill (#9), as well as sophomore Jacob Bassil (#1). Pal and Merrill put in good performances en route to 3-0 wins. Bassil was made to work in a battle of his own, but was ultimately able to clinch his match 3-2 to complete the 9-0 sweep for the men.

The Ephs face Trinity tomorrow at noon in the tournament finals, before heading back to Williamstown to prepare for nationals in two weeks.