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Falcons Handle Penn State-Harrisburg, Keep Home Streak In Tact
Posted: 3/25/2009
Box Score | More Men's Tennis news
Senior Sam Shorts was a big part of Messiah's home-opening win.

Grantham, PA — Messiah kept its home winning streak in tact with a 7-2 decision over Penn State University-Harrisburg Wednesday afternoon, capturing the top five singles positions and top two doubles flights to cruise to the victory.

Sophomore Jansen Hein and senior Sam Shorts paced the win, taking 6-0, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-3 decisions at the top two singles positions while combining for a 9-8, 7-2 victory in the top doubles slot.

It was the 16th straight home win for the program, continuing a streak that dates back to the 2005 season.

“It was a good win for the team today,” said Sheila Bush, Messiah head coach. “The young guys got wins under their belts and we were able to put on a good showing for all the local fans. We really appreciated the strong family and student support at our home matches. It drives us to success.”

Still playing without junior and normal number three singles player Luke Ruch, Messiah (2-5) needed a bit of time to begin playing its best tennis. That was the case at both the number one and number two doubles positions, as Hein and Shorts found themselves just a game away from losing the top doubles’ first set. Plagued by errors on both serves and ground strokes, the duo was jolted when Hein lost his second round of service — putting the team down a break.

The tandem remained down until the score was 4-7, putting Messiah’s top pair just a game away from being down a set.

Naturally, they responded. A combination of strong service from Shorts and put-away volleys by Hein helped the team win four of the last five games, pushing to the 9-8 final.

Messiah’s second doubles team of freshmen Mike Elliott and Andrew Wismer also started off slow, losing an early break and going down 1-2. Slowly, the duo’s consistency improved and they were able to keep the ball low and in the middle while on net defense. A strong surge led to a 5-2 lead for the Falcons, but Bush attributed “sluggish feet and cruise control tennis” for letting their opponents tie it up at 6-6.

Elliott and Wismer stepped up to finish the match with a strong two-game surge at the end, forcing a break to go up 7-6. Elliott finished with a huge service game for the overall win, putting Messiah up 2-0.

Following an 8-3 loss at number three doubles — the tandem of freshmen Adam Sheir and Cody Powis were playing together for the first time — Messiah came back with dominant singles play to cruise to the team win.

Hein and Shorts again led that charge, playing inspired tennis at the one and two singles positions, respectively. Hein charged out with an overpowering display en route to his 6-0, 6-2 win, while Shorts captured his first singles win in six opportunities with a 6-3, 6-3 decision over the Nittany Lions’ Keith Lynn.

“It was nice to get a win in front of the home fans,” Shorts said. “Singles felt great today. My serve and net game were really on.”

The day’s best competition occurred in singles’ flights three through five, as Elliott, Wismer and Sheir all took lengthy wins. Elliott’s 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) victory highlighted that action, as the freshman captured his first collegiate home win after playing number four singles during Messiah’s spring break trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

With the match already decided, Wismer and Sheir recorded the team’s final two wins, with a 10-point super tie-breaker substituting the usual third set in Wismer’s 7-5, 1-6, 12-10 marathon. Bush attributed “some mental toughness and a focus on the fundamentals” as propelling Wismer to the 12-10 tie-breaking win.

“I felt confident going into the later parts of the match but knew that my energy was draining quickly,” Wismer said. “I was glad to have enough to put this one away.”

Sheir wound up playing the last remaining match, pulling out a 7-5 first-set win before capturing a 6-5 lead in the second with his serve upcoming. The final game of the afternoon turned out to be a marathon, but Sheir persevered — all in front of a large crowd that had gathered to watch.

“My play was very consistent and I was very pleased to win my first home match,” he said.

With the team win, Messiah keeps a 16-match home wining streak in tact. The Falcons’ last home defeat came in a 3-5 loss to Elizabethtown College back on April 21, 2005.

The Falcons will not have long to savor Wednesday’s win, as the team will return to action Friday at Eastern University. Match time is set for 3 p.m.