The Bowdoin College men’s tennis team achieved a mixed result during its spring break trip to California, securing a decisive 7-0 victory over Chapman University before narrowly losing to top-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps by a score of 4-3. The Polar Bears, currently ranked seventh nationally, now hold a record of 4-1 for the spring season.
Strong Start Against Chapman
In their first match against Chapman, Bowdoin dominated from the outset. The team clinched the opening point by sweeping all three doubles matches. The pairing of Mark Kneiss and Jackson Codd led the charge with a 6-2 win at No. 1 doubles, while Kiran Garapati and Simon Catanzaro followed suit with a 6-3 victory at No. 2. The third doubles team, consisting of Aden Dorros and Mick Tamas, completed the sweep with a commanding 6-0 score.
Bowdoin maintained its momentum in singles play, where the team won five matches in straight sets. Kneiss showcased his skill at No. 1 singles, winning decisively 6-1, 6-1. Codd also performed well, securing a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 3. Additional wins came from Cameron Zia at No. 4 with a score of 6-2, 6-2, Catanzaro at No. 5 with 6-3, 6-1, and Andrew Mendelson at No. 6, who won 6-3, 6-1. The only three-set match occurred at No. 2, where Garapati, after losing the first set, rallied to defeat James Krantz 2-6, 6-3, 10-4, sealing the 7-0 sweep for Bowdoin.
Tight Contest with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
The Polar Bears faced a tougher challenge in their subsequent match against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. In a tightly contested battle, Bowdoin fell 4-3, with several matches extending to third sets after an early lead in doubles play. The Polar Bears and CMS split the doubles point, with Kneiss and Codd losing 6-2 at No. 1. However, Bowdoin bounced back with victories at both No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Simon Catanzaro and Kiran Garapati earned a 6-3 win at No. 2, while Mick Tamas and Aden Dorros matched that score at No. 3, giving Bowdoin a 1-0 lead.
In singles action, CMS surged back, claiming four of the six matches. Jackson Codd provided Bowdoin with a crucial singles victory in a marathon match at No. 3, edging out Sibi Raja 7-5, 6-7(7), 7-6(1). Additionally, Mendelson secured a solid straight-set win at No. 6 with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
Bowdoin will take a brief hiatus before facing the University of Redlands on Wednesday, continuing their spring break journey.
