CMS Men's Tennis Takes 5-1 Win over Hardin-Simmons, Meets Pomona-Pitzer in Regional Finals

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's tennis team opened up NCAA play with a 5-1 win over Hardin-Simmons in the second round on Friday afternoon at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center, advancing through to tomorrow's regional finals against SCIAC rival Pomona-Pitzer.

With the win, CMS improves to 26-6 and stands one win away from moving on to nationals for the 11th straight year. The Stags reached the NCAA Quarterfinal round all 10 years from 2010-19, before a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Hardin-Simmons ends its season at 14-8. 

Senior Jack Katzman had a perfect day for the Stags, combining with Nathan Arimilli for an 8-0 win at No. 3 doubles, and then picking up a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles. Matthew Robinson was also perfect in singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 3, and Christopher Li nearly was as well at No. 5, before taking the clincher with a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 5. 

Senior Ethan Carroll was close to a win at No. 6 when his match was halted after Li's clinch, leading 6-1, 5-1 (30-0). Robert Liu had earned a comeback 6-3 win at No. 1 singles, and Philip Martin earned a hard-fought 6-4 win at No. 2 singles before their matches were called early in the second set. 

Liu and Ian Freer added an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles for the second point of the match after Katzman and Arimilli finished off thier shutout at No. 3. Hardin-Simmons earned its lone point at No. 1 doubles with an 8-5 win. 

CMS and Pomona-Pitzer will meet in tomorrow's regional finals for the third time this season. The Stags took the regular season meeting 7-2 after falling behind 2-1 after doubles and sweeping singles without dropping a set. The rematch in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament championship saw CMS sweep doubles and take a quick 5-0 win to pick up its 15th SCIAC title in a row. 

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (5) vs. Hardin-Simmons (1)
May 13, 2022 at Claremont, CA. (Biszantz Family Tennis Center) - NCAA Team Championship 2nd Round

Doubles
1. Alex Pavkovich/Desmond O'Shea (HSU) def. Philip Martin/Matthew Robinson (CMS) 8-5
2. Ian Freer/Robert Liu (CMS) def. Nathaniel Schoendorf/James Moore (HSU) 8-2
3. Nathan Arimilli/Jack Katzman (CMS) def. Davyn Williford/Josh Lopez (HSU) 8-0

Singles
1. Robert Liu (CMS) vs. Alex Pavkovich (HSU) 6-3, 1-0, unfinished
2. Philip Martin (CMS) vs. Nathaniel Schoendorf (HSU) 6-4, unfinished
3. Matthew Robinson (CMS) def. James Moore (HSU) 6-0, 6-0
4. Jack Katzman (CMS) def. Desmond O'Shea (HSU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Christopher Li (CMS) def. Davyn Williford (HSU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Ethan Carroll (CMS) vs. Josh Lopez (HSU) 6-1, 5-1, unfinished

Order of completion
Doubles: 3, 2, 1
Singles: 3, 4, 5