WILLIAMS FALLS TO DARTMOUTH 5-4

Hanover, NH - Today the Ephs traveled up to New Hampshire to face off against No. 10 Dartmouth. They were looking to register an upset and move up the rankings to be a top ten team in the nation, but they unfortunately fell just short losing 5-4. There were many close games and matches up and down the ladder, but Dartmouth took the key games and matches to win the day. Eph head coach Hesham Aly said,"It was a close match, which we knew it would be heading into today. The team played with everything they had, but needed to be more precise in key points".

Starting off the first round for the Ephs was John Nicholson at the 9 spot. John went up 10-9 in the first game, but couldn't close it out and lost 13-11. He regrouped and used his deep game to win the second, but a few errors cost him the third. He managed to win the fourth game 11-9 after some lengthy rallies, but couldn't find the win and lost 3-2. Next up was Asher Leavy at the 5 seed, who got off to a slow start and lost the first. However, he got back to his game plan and kept up the pressure to win his match 3-1. Last up in the first round of matches was Nick Agger at the 2nd seed, who faced a talented opponent on a unique glass court and lost 3-0.

Up first in the second round of matches was Hudson Lin at the 8 seed, who lost the first game 11-8 after a few errors. However, he adapted to his opponents style of play in the second game and won 11-8. Unfortunately, after some crucial refereeing decisions, Hudson lost a close third game 13-11, and then the fourth 11-9. Next up was Alex Akbari at the 6 seed who used his tight rails to win a close first game 12-10, and then he closed out his match 3-0. Last up in the second round of matches was co-captain Andrew Minnis at the 3 seed, who utilized some low attacking shots that were especially effective on their show court to win 3-0.

Starting off the Ephs in the third and final round of matches was Pierce Henderson at the 8 seed, who unfortunately lost his match 3-0. Jack Lee at the 4 seed used all four corners of the court to win the first game, and went up 10-6 in the second but unfortunately lost 14-12. However, he got back to his game plan and pushed through physically to win 3-1, taking the fourth game 14-12.  Last up for the Ephs at the 1 seed was co-captain Will Evans, who faced a talented opponent on the unique glass court and lost 3-0.

It was a hard fought match down the line, even if they did not get the result they were looking for the Ephs look forward to the their next match against #12 in the nation, Tufts.