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Falcons Set Up Conf. Showdown With 9-0 Blanking Of Lycoming
Posted: 4/9/2008
Box Score | More Men's Tennis news
Senior Nate Ipsen continued his dominant play in both singles and doubles action Wednesday afternoon.

Grantham, PA — Looking to stake its claim to a third consecutive MAC Commonwealth Conference Championship, the Messiah College men’s tennis team continued to cruise Wednesday night, handing league foe Lycoming College a 9-0 defeat at the Messiah College Tennis Complex.

Messiah (6-6-1, 3-0) allowed a total of just 11 games to the visiting Warriors, winning all six singles flights in straight sets including three in shut-out fashion. The win was the Falcons’ fourth straight overall and first blanking of a conference opponent, all with a crucial match at league foe Elizabethtown College looming for Friday.

“This group is overlooking no one, and that was apparent today,” said Frank Petre, Messiah head coach. “We were led by our three seniors today, and that was appropriate. They have been an integral part of the men’s team successes the last three years.”

Seniors Nathan Ipsen, Jonathan Siemen and William Tanis played their final regular-season home match in the win, combining for five of the Falcons’ nine team points on the afternoon. Ipsen defeated Lycoming’s Bobby Brown by 6-1, 6-1 scores at the top singles position, while Siemen wasn’t far behind in a 6-2, 6-2 cruising over the Warriors’ Alex Beattie at the number two singles slot.

Tanis hung one of three shut out wins in the fifth flight of singles play —freshman Jansen Hein at number three and sophomore Luke Ruch at number six were the others — while Tanis teamed with junior Sam Shorts for an 8-0 win over Lycoming’s Colin Baier and John Scarangello in the second doubles flight.

Ipsen and Siemen combined for an 8-3 win over Lycoming’s top doubles unit, pushing their partnership record to 8-5 on the year.

“I have been fortunate to coach these three seniors in their last year of men’s tennis,” said Frank Petre, first-year Messiah head coach. “Each of these athletes have contributed to two conference championships in the last two years and two trips to the NCAA National Team Championships. They leave behind a tremendous legacy.”

Petre and squad now turn their attention to Elizabethtown, as the Blue Jays remain as the only other undefeated team in league play. Friday’s match is slated for a 3:30 p.m. start time at Elizabethtown.

“We feel that we are the best team in the conference, and now we get a chance to prove it on the courts against our respected rival,” Petre said. “We are excited about the upcoming opportunity.”