Lionel Zen-Ruffinen won both of his contests as Colorado College salvaged a split of its two matches on Monday with a 5-4 victory over Hope College. The Tigers dropped a 6-3 decision against Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Oglethorpe University to begin the day.
Playing in a reverse format with singles first,
Will Lindsay earned a crucial point at No. 5 singles by prevailing in a third-set tie-breaker to win
6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7) and tie the overall score at 3-3.
Thomas Modern and Zen-Ruffinen posted straight-set victories at No. 3 and 4 singles to post CC's first two points.
The Flying Dutchmen survived match points at No. 1 and 2 singles, and also claimed a third point at No. 6, to tie the match by winning three of the four individual contests that went to three sets.
Nate Burt and Zen Ruffinen overcame an early 4-1 deficit to record an 8-6 victory at No. 1 doubles, and then
Evan Jonker and
Sam Barnard sealed the victory by dominating at No. 2 singles by an 8-2 score.
"After a tough battle in the morning we had to rally for a second close match," head coach Naren Clark said. "We came out much more confident and eager then in the morning, but physical and mental fatigue led to sloppy and uncharacteristic play in many of the singles matches. This was our best win to date, not because of the quality of play but because of our determination to win."
Earlier in the day, Oglethorpe won five of six singles matches to wrap up the victory before doubles play began.
Zach White put the Tigers on the board by coming from behind to take a
3-6, 6-4, 10-4 decision.
Colorado College won two of three doubles matches to close to within 6-3.
White and
Will Lindsay cruised to an 8-2 triumph at No. 3 doubles, while Burt and Zen-Ruffinen won by an 8-5 count at No. 1 doubles.
Results vs. Oglethorpe
Singles:
1. OU – Felix Mann def. Nate Burt 6-1, 6-4
2. OU – Ross Beall def. Evan Jonker 6-2, 6-2
3. OU – Ethan Motz def. Thomas Modern 6-2, 6-4
4. OU – Alex Biffle def. Lionel Zen-Ruffinen 6-1, 6-1
5. OU – Bryan Bailey def. Will Lindsay 6-2, 6-2
6. CC – Zach White def. Rajiv Dinakaran 3-6, 6-4, 10-4
Doubles :
1. CC – Nate Burt/Lionel Zen-Ruffinen def. Motz Ethan/Alex Biffle 8-5
2. OU – Rajiv Dinakaran/Sandy Christophersen def. Evan Jonker/Sam Barnard 9-7
3. CC – Zach White/Will Lindsay def. Lawrence Sweatman/Cedric Andre 8-2
Results vs. Hope
Singles:
1. HOPE – Alex Hughes def. Nate Burt 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2
2. HOPE – Jon Lautz def. Evan Jonker 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (3)
3. CC – Thomas Modern def. Parker Bussies 7-6 (4), 6-3
4. CC – Lionel Zen-Ruffinen def. Kevin Hagan 6-2, 6-2
5. CC – Will Lindsay def. Davis Vanderveen 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7)
6. HOPE – Grant Shooter def. Zach White 6-3, 4-6, 6-0
