BETHANY, W.Va. — The Marietta College men's tennis team earned its first win of the season with a 5-4 victory over host Bethany (W.Va.) College Monday (March 30) afternoon.

The Pioneers (1-3, 0-2 OAC) and the Bison (0-5) were tied at 4-4 before Marietta received the match-winning point at sixth singles from junior Clint Perkins (St. Marys, W.Va./St. Marys) (St. Mary's, W.Va.), who won his match 6-4, 6-2.

Marietta jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles play. Sophomore Mike Carpenter (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg) (Parkersburg, W.Va.) and junior Bruce Kitchens (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) won 8-4 at first doubles. Sophomore Sam Vincent (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg) (Parkersburg, W.Va.) and Perkins also won 8-2 at third doubles.

Kitchens helped the Pioneers win their third point with a 7-5, 2-6, 10-3 victory at second singles. Vincent won the fourth point with a 6-3, 6-2 victory at fifth singles, setting the stage for Perkins' win at sixth singles.

Marietta returns to action on Wednesday (April 1) afternoon when the Pioneers play host to Otterbein College at 3:30 p.m.

 

Marietta 5, Bethany 4
Mar 30, 2009 at Bethany, WV

Singles competition

1. Dustin Opalka (BET) def. Mike Carpenter (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg) (MAR) 6-4, 6-3

2. Bruce Kitchens (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) (MAR) def. Andrew McPherson (BET) 7-5, 2-6, 10-3

3. Chris Dalpra (BET) def. Andrew Bolton (Timonium, Md./Calvert Hall) (MAR) 6-1, 7-6 (9-7)

4. Jason Straw (BET) def. Ryan Whitnable (Vincent/Warren Local) (MAR) 6-3, 6-2

5. Sam Vincent (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg) (MAR) def. Levi Naylor (BET) 6-3, 6-2

6. Clint Perkins (St. Marys, W.Va./St. Marys) (MAR) def. Jay Lyonett (BET) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Mike Carpenter (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg)/Bruce Kitchens (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) (MAR) def. Dustin Opalka/Jay Lyonett (BET) 8-4

2. Andrew McPherson/Jason Straw (BET) def. Andrew Bolton (Timonium, Md./Calvert Hall)/Ryan Whitnable (Vincent/Warren Local) (MAR) 8-4

3. Sam Vincent (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg)/Clint Perkins (St. Marys, W.Va./St. Marys) (MAR) def. Cory Winters/Noah Townsend (BET) 8-2

Match Notes

Marietta 1-3

Bethany 0-5