CAMBRIDGE – In a Thursday afternoon non- conference clash, the Tufts University men's tennis team took a short trip to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and bested the Engineers 8-1.
This victory takes the third-ranked Jumbos to 12-1 and lengthens their unbeaten streak to 11 matches. Coming into Thursday as winners of their last three matches, #34 MIT now falls to 8-6.
Tufts took an early lead with a 2-1 record in the doubles draw. Juniors Rishabh Sharda and Josh Belandres cruised to an 8-3 win at #1 doubles, and the duo of graduate student Niko Hereford and first-year Vuk Vuksanovic earned an 8-5 victory in the third match. MIT's only win of the day came on the second doubles court from first-year Wayne Nelms and sophomore Sundeep Chakladar, as they outdueled Tufts seniors Isaac Gorelik and Paris Pentousis 8-6.
Tufts won all six singles matches. Northeast ranked #3 Isaac Gorelik won 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the first spot followed by a 6-3, 6-3 win from Sharda in the second position. After a 6-0, 6-0 win in his last singles outing, Pentousis was impressive again, beating his opponent 6-2, 6-0 in the #4 spot. Jack Moldenhauer (pictured) had a 6-3, 6-2 victory in the fifth position. In the sixth spot, first-year Lachie Macintosh beat former Jumbo Carl Herman-Grant 6-0, 6-1 to finish off the sweep.
The Jumbos will be back in action on Saturday the 23rd at 2:00 in a home NESCAC tilt versus Colby College. The Engineers' next match is also scheduled for the 23rd, where they will face NEWMAC opponent Babson College.
Written by Steven Landry, Athletic Communications Assistant
