Men’s tennis captures second win on Sunday

Early in the second set of the first singles match between Delaware and Villanova Sunday at the DuPont Country Club’s indoor courts, junior Troy Beneck dropped a break point against the Wildcats’ Tom O’Brien, tying the match at three games all.

The No. 1 player was able to win the second set, 7-5, helping to clinch the 4-3 victory for Delaware.

Beneck said he was disappointed about dropping the break point and would have to work on having his play suit how the match was going.

“I need to play the score better,” Beneck said. “I went up a few break points, and I was a little too relaxed. If I really focus more and put more balls on the court, it would have been an easier second set for me.”
The Hens came into this match with a 1-2 overall record, having played three close matches. Delaware beat Morgan State University, 4-3, on Jan. 28 at Sea Colony Tennis Resort in Bethany, Del., but lost at Lehigh University on Feb. 10 and at Saint Joseph’s University on Feb. 16 by the identical scores of 3-4.

The day’s first three matches were the doubles matches. Juniors Troy Beneck and Adam Lawton won the first doubles, 9-7, while junior Nolan Gelman and sophomore Evan Andrews won the crucial doubles point by winning their match, 8-2. The third doubles team of junior Jason Derene and freshman Mike Furr lost their match 8-3.

Head coach Laura Travis said Derene and Furr are a new pairing and played well despite a few issue.

“No. 3 is a new combination,” she said. “They made progress even though they lost.”
In the second singles match, Lawton beat Wildcats freshman Chris Seitz in three sets, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. Between the first and second sets, Travis advised Lawton on tactical changes and options he could use to win.

Lawton said Travis told him to change up his style of play and to put a little spin on his shots.

“She said to mix it up a little bit, because that guy was playing with rhythm, and I did,” Lawton said. “I sliced a bit more, I hit a bit more to his forehand.”
Gelman won the third singles match, 6-2, 6-4 over Villanova sophomore Mark Miller. Though Furr, Andrews and Derene all lost their singles matches, the Hens wrapped it up after Gelman’s victory.

With two matches left before Delaware opens its CAA season against James Madison at home on Mar. 16, Delaware still has some issues it needs to fix.

Travis said the team needs to have stronger practices if they want to do well in the CAA this season.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Travis said. “Again, it all starts with practice and the way that we’re practicing. If we can pick up what we’re doing and what we’re trying to set out to do then there’s a good chance.”