BETHANY, W.Va. — The Marietta College men's tennis team earned a 5-4 road victory at Bethany College Wednesday (March 31) afternoon. The Pioneers improved to 2-0, while the Bison fell to 2-5. [Box Score]

Bethany held a 2-1 advantage after doubles action. Marietta picked up a point at third doubles when junior Mike Carpenter (Parkersburg, W.Va., Parkersburg) and junior Chad Gardner (Cambridge, Cambridge) won 8-2.

Marietta secured the win by taking four of six points during singles play. Gardner won his sixth singles match 6-1, 6-1. Freshman Taimur Ahmed (Islamabad, Pakistan, Froebels International) captured his match at fifth singles 6-4, 6-0. Carpenter complete his undefeated day with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at fourth singles. Senior Andrew Bolton (Timonium, Md./Calvert Hall) also won his third singles match 6-3, 6-4.

The Pioneers are back in action Friday (April 20 when they return to Ohio Athletic Conference play with a home match against Baldwin-Wallace College. The match is slated to begin at 3 p.m.

Marietta College 5, Bethany 4
Mar 31, 2010 at Bethany, W.Va.

Singles competition

1. Dustin Opalka (BET) def. Josh Patterson (Jefferson/Jefferson) (MAR) 6-3, 6-0

2. Jason Straw (BET) def. Ryan Wong (Granville/Granville) (MAR) 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-4)

3. Andrew Bolton (Timonium, Md./Calvert Hall) (MAR) def. Levi Naylor (BET) 6-3, 6-4

4. Mike Carpenter (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg) (MAR) def. Jay Lyonett (BET) 6-2, 7-5

5. Taimur Ahmed (Islamabad, Pakistan/Froebels International) (MAR) def. Ryan Rokisky (BET) 6-4, 6-0

6. Chad Gardner (Cambridge/Cambridge) (MAR) def. Evan Oslund (BET) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Jason Straw/Levi Naylor (BET) def. Josh Patterson (Jefferson/Jefferson)/Andrew Bolton (Timonium, Md./Calvert Hall) (MAR) 8-4

2. Dustin Opalka/Jay Lyonett (BET) def. Ryan Wong (Granville/Granville)/Taimur Ahmed (Islamabad, Pakistan/Froebels International) (MAR) 8-3

3. Mike Carpenter (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg)/Chad Gardner (Cambridge/Cambridge) (MAR) def. Ryan Rokisky/Evan Oslund (BET) 8-2

Match Notes

Marietta College 2-1

Bethany 2-5