MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Maryville's men's tennis team roared to an emphatic win against Hanover College on Friday, February 27th, coming back from losing the doubles point to sweep the singles matches and lead to a 6-1 Scots scoreline.
The match started with a gritty doubles performance from all courts from both teams. #1 doubles pair Steven Fitzsimmons and James Smith and #3 pair Grant Price and Field Myatt finished at the exact same time, with #1 taking their set 7-5 and #3 coming back from down 0-4 and drawing level to then fall 5-7. With the doubles point on the line, Hanover shut the door on the Scots #2 pair Jackson Meyer and Benjamin Schneider in a gritty match, falling 5-7.
The momentum carried over for Hanover to start the singles portion of the match. Myatt dropped his first set at #3 singles 3-6, and Price dropped his first set 4-6 at #2 shortly after, in prime position to sink to an 0-3 deficit in the overall score. Smith helped lighten the load on the first three singles matches, winning his first set 6-3 and comfortably winning his second set 6-1 to draw the score level. With that point, along with Maryville and their supporters rallying together, the momentum suddenly shifted towards Maryville. Myatt won his second set 6-3 to draw level in his match, and Price won his second set 6-4 to break even in his battle as well. In the blink of an eye, the match was favored for the Scots.
Schneider was the next Scot to tally a point for Maryville, quickly taking care of business at the #4 position 6-1 6-0 in 46 minutes. Soon after that, Myatt notched another point for Maryville, winning his three set match 3-6 6-3 6-4 to put Maryville at the cusp of clinching the match. After battling for over two hours and facing multiple physical ailments, Price clinched for Maryville at the #2 position with a 4-6 6-4 6-4 scoreline.
The day wasn't done for the Scots. Fitzsimmons blitzed to a 6-4 6-2 win in 45 minutes at the #5 position, continuing his great form in his first year. Finally, senior Jonathan Crane battled to a 6-3 7-6 (8-6) win to complete the sweep for Maryville in the singles portion of the match.
"We took a punch early in the match with the doubles and losing some first sets," Head Coach Doug Corbett said. "It was extremely encouraging to see us battle back from that. We're taking steps forward with our toughness and resilience, shown by sweeping the singles against a strong team."
"Shoutout to Grant and Field for their third set wins!" Corbett said.
The Scots compete next Saturday, February 28th against Pfeiffer University. Maryville is looking to avenge their loss from their first meeting in 2024.
