Williamstown, MA- Painted in purple, the Ephs sanguinely strode onto their home courts, full of jubilation and anticipation. But it would quickly become clear that this match had a Calvinist predestination, with the Ephs heading up. Legends of the program came from all regions of the world to watch the scintillating scenes of the current program's prowess. With electric energy and an auspicious aura hanging in the air, doubles action began.
The Ephs came out firing striking first and striking hard. On court 1, sophomore standout
Nicholas Chen showed why he has been lauded as one of the top doubles players. He punched volley after volley past his opponents. With a beautiful overhead volley smash, Chen sealed an early break for him and senior
Matt Kandel, and they found themselves up 4-1 quickly.
On court 2, perennial powerhouse pairing
Shawn Berdia and
Simon Volkema came up with big shot after big shot to keep themselves ahead. At 3-3 deuce no-ad, Berdia served wide and his opponent fired a backhand cross that appeared to be a winner. However Berdia stretched his arm for an amazing drop shot volley, which allowed Volkema to slam the next ball home. After that shot Berdia and Volkema ran away with the match, putting the Ephs up 1-0 overall. Soon after Chen and Kandel finished the job, and the Ephs were up 2-0.
All eyes turned to court three, where first year
Kush Anand, alongside seasoned junior
Andrew Chong would serve up 6-5. With Chong serving, Anand put away the first two volleys with poise and precision. Chong then notched two aces on the following two points. Up 7-5, the Ephs brimmed with confidence, and Anand played the first point with precision firing a backhand that could not be returned. The Ephs then found themselves up 30-40 double match point, but they would only need one, as Chong stepped in for an incredible return, setting up Anand for the deciding return and match point. With that, the Ephs were up 3-0 heading into singles.
Singles play started well for the Ephs, winning five of six first sets. On court 6, Chong went down early in the first game, but won the first set in highly convincing fashion. Court 5 was no different as Anand played his counterpart just right for a 6-2 win. One court over on 4, Volkema found himself down 6-5 double set point, and the Colby player was close to winning a big first set. However Volkema opened the set back up, winning the next two points with massive forehands in both. In the tiebreaker, Volkema found his form and started hitting the ball huge and he proved too much for his opponent, winning the tiebreaker easily.
Court 3 looked to be dicey for the Ephs early, as Nic Chen returned to the singles lineup for the first time in weeks and found himself in an early 0-3 hole. But it was his grit, determination, and hard work that turned the match around, and he won six of the next seven games, taking the first set 6-4. Court 1 was by no means the prettiest tennis of the day, as Kandel and the Colby player traded eleven holds back and forth until Kandel went up 6-5. It was then that Kandel fired a passing shot winner to get him a set point. Kandel hit a sneaky little lob to earn him the first set 7-5.
It was much of the same in the second sets up and down the board. Chen finished first with a decisive 6-2 second set win. Then came Volkema who raised his level at the right moments and clinched the match for the Ephs. Up 5-0, Kandel made it 6-0 when he finished off his opponent 6-4 in the second. Chong came next with an on the run passing shot stunner to win it.
Anand would close out the day for the Ephs, saving multiple match points before earning his own capitalizing with a tantalizing volley.
The Ephs return to action at home tomorrow at 11:00 AM EDT against Bowdoin, for their final regular season match.
Doubles
Kandel/Chen (WIL) def. Henry/Cohen (CO) 8-6
Volkema/Berdia (WIL) def. Dandler/Alapati (CO) 8-5
Chong/Anand (WIL) def. Barrett/Kwong (CO) 8-5
Singles
Kandel (WIL) def. Barrett (CO) 7-5, 6-4
Cohen (CO) def. Berdia (WIL) 6-2, 6-4
Chen (WIL) def. Henry (CO) 6-4, 6-2
Volkema (WIL) def. Dandler (CO) 7-6(6), 6-4
Anand (WIL) def. Alapati (CO) 6-2, 6-7(5), 1-0(11)
Chong (WIL) def. Kwong (CO) 6-4, 6-4
