Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
Lehigh
Army Advances to Conference Championship
April 20, 2019 | Men's Tennis
WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point men's tennis team will play in the final of the Conference Tournament Sunday for the 24th time in Patriot League history after defeating Lehigh 4-1 in the semifinals.
"We had a fast start in singles and they caught up a little, but we always kept our chin down and plowed forward," said Associate Head Coach, Randy Rowley. "I think that's what we're wanting to do -- to not back away -- and I felt we did a great job of just pushing and pushing."
The match opened with three close matches in doubles play at the Lichtenberg Tennis Center. Army (13-12) seized the opportunity to capture an early lead and won on courts one and two to go up 1-0.
Lehigh (13-8) responded after the fast start in singles by the Black Knights to push the Cadets early. Army would take four of six opening sets though to settle in.
The Mountain Hawks would tie it up at one apiece with a straight sets win at No. 5. Army would respond right back with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 to inch closer to victory.
Clinch would come at No. 4, with Nikita Larichev battling back after dropping the first set to win 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.
Army now sets its sights on rival Navy, who defeated Boston University 4-1 in the other semifinal, in the final for the league title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
"Our goal is to win a championship," added Rowley. "They [Navy] have taken care of their job and we've taken care of our job and now we meet tomorrow for that trophy."
ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES
- Army will play in the Patriot League Tournament final for the 24th time in the 26 years of its history.
- The Black Knights will face Navy for the 18th time in the final.
- Army won its 18th doubles point of the spring.
- Conlin picked up win No. 11 from the No. 1 singles position this season.
- Diego Huttepain earned win No. 10 this spring.
BOX SCORE
Singles
1. Conlin,Myles (ARMY) def. Wang,Harry (LEHIGH) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
2. Huttepain,Diego (ARMY) def. Elliot,Zack (LEHIGH) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Mitchell,David (ARMY) vs. Martin-Dyer,Jack (LEHIGH) 6-2, 4-6, 3-5, unfinished
4. Larichev,Nikita (ARMY) def. Born,Bryant (LEHIGH) 6-7 (7-5), 6-4, 6-1
5. Cooper,George (LEHIGH) def. Gorshein,David (ARMY) 6-4, 6-3
6. Mundra,Anant (ARMY) vs. Auteri,Christopher (LEHIGH) 6-3, 2-6, 4-3, unfinished
Doubles
1. Conlin,Myles/Larichev,Nikita (ARMY) def. Wang,Harry/Elliot,Zack (LEHIGH) 6-4
2. Mitchell,David/Gorshein,David (ARMY) def. Martin-Dyer,Jack/Auteri,Christopher (LEHIGH) 6-4
3. Quiros,Alejandro/Huttepain,Diego (ARMY) vs. Cooper,George/Edelchik,Jacob (LEHIGH) 5-5, unfinished
UP NEXT
Army will face Navy in the final of the Patriot League Conference Tournament tomorrow at 12 p.m. from the Malek Tennis Center.
Players Mentioned
