Men's Tennis 9/23/2017 5:46:00 PM

Dutchmen take down Raptors 8-1

Men's Tennis 9/23/2017 5:46:00 PM

Dutchmen take down Raptors 8-1

SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College men's tennis team posted an 8-1 win over Bard College in Liberty League action on Saturday afternoon at the Union College Tennis Courts.

In all seven matches that Union won, the Dutchmen did not lose a single set. The Dutchmen started the day sweeping the doubles competition without dropping a game to the Raptors.

Zach Kaplan played in the No. 1 singles match and after winning his first set, 6-3, won when his opponent retired early in the second set.

Thomas Andre took his No. 2 singles match, 6-1, 6-1, against Bard's Aiden Velasco.

The No. 4, 5, and 6 singles matches were all won by the Dutchmen without losing a single game, as Matt Gracer claimed the victory in the No. 4 match, Sam Cox in the No. 5 match, and Yao Pan in the No. 6 match.

The Dutchmen continue their fall season next weekend with competition at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships hosted by Skidmore, Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

Union College 8, Bard College 1
Singles competition
1. Zach Kaplan (UNION) def. Satchel Fisher (BARD-M) 6-3, retired
2. Thomas Andre (UNION) def. Aiden Velasco (BARD-M) 6-1, 6-1
3. Nicholas George (BARD-M) def. Sam Varsano (UNION) 6-4, 6-2
4. Matt Gracer (UNION) def. Baixi Ren (BARD-M) 6-0, 6-0
5. Sam Cox (UNION) def. M. Robinson-Wrobel (BARD-M) 6-0, 6-0
6. Yao Pan (UNION) def. Pranjal Ghate (BARD-M) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Austin Egna/Max Egna (UNION) def. Satchel Fisher/Aiden Velasco (BARD-M) 8-0
2. Justin Gold/Del Schunk (UNION) def. Nicholas George/Baixi Ren (BARD-M) 8-0
3. Thomas Andre/Sam Varsano (UNION) def. M. Robinson-Wrobel/Pranjal Ghate (BARD-M) 8-0

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Players Mentioned

Tommy Andre: 5' 9"; Sophomore; I chose to come to Union because of its small college atmosphere and its dedication to the sciences.

Justin Gold: 5' 7"; Sophomore; I chose to attend Union because of the strong academic reputation, as well as the tight-knit student-teacher relationships. Also, I chose to go to Union to continue my tennis career in such a competitive conference as the Liberty League.

Matt Gracer: 5' 9"; Senior; I chose to attend Union College because it is a small school with small classes and therefore easier to meet and communicate with professors. My high school had a similar environment and I felt it would make the transition to college easier and I would find more success than at a larger school.

Zach Kaplan: 5' 8"; Junior; It was hard to differentiate all of the small northeastern liberal arts colleges that I was visiting. I ended up narrowing down my list to about three schools and spent the night at all three. I immediately felt at home on my overnight at Union, and felt that it would be the perfect fit between my social life, academics, and tennis.

Del Schunk: 6' 2"; Sophomore; Union College was my first choice among the many small liberal arts colleges I was planning to apply to. I first heard of the school from my teammate Zach Kaplan, who I knew from home. Once I went on my recruiting, visit I immediately fell in love with the school and all it had to offer.

Sam Varsano: 5' 8"; Junior; My main draw towards Union was because of its stellar reputation. I knew I wanted to go to a school where I could proudly say that I was a student and always receive positive recognition for it. I was also attracted to the balance of not just the academic components of the school but the opportunity to be involved elsewhere around campus.

Max Egna: 5' 10"; First Year; I chose to attend Union because of many reasons. First, when I stayed on an overnight, I was extremely impressed with the coaching staff and team members. All the guys on the team were super friendly and easy to get along with, which was a very important piece in my decision to come to Union. Next, I thought that the social life at Union was far better than any of the other schools I visited; people here are very nice and inviting. Lastly, the great academics were exactly what I was looking for. Class sizes are small and you always get the attention you need.

Austin Egna: 5' 10"; First Year; I chose Union because it just seemed so perfect for me. The athletics combined with the academics complement each other, and, for such a small liberal arts college, the spirit and all around positive interactions I had at the school amazed me and made me want to become part of something special.

Sam Cox: 6' 2"; Sophomore; I chose Union because of the Liberal Arts curriculum that allows students to take a wide breadth of courses in different subject areas, while also being able to make connections between them through an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking. I also enjoy being able to play a varsity sport while continuing to expand my extracurricular interests through other clubs and campus activities.

Yao Pan: 5' 7"; Junior; Union was my first and only choice because of its great mechanical engineering program and small class size. Since my interest is in industrial design, I am majoring in visual arts and minoring in mechanical engineering. There are many opportunities to discuss with my professors about my study plans and design projects from different perspectives.

Players Mentioned

Tommy Andre
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; I chose to come to Union because of its small college atmosphere and its dedication to the sciences.

Justin Gold
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; I chose to attend Union because of the strong academic reputation, as well as the tight-knit student-teacher relationships. Also, I chose to go to Union to continue my tennis career in such a competitive conference as the Liberty League.

Matt Gracer
: 5' 9"; Senior; I chose to attend Union College because it is a small school with small classes and therefore easier to meet and communicate with professors. My high school had a similar environment and I felt it would make the transition to college easier and I would find more success than at a larger school.

Zach Kaplan
: 5' 8"; Junior; It was hard to differentiate all of the small northeastern liberal arts colleges that I was visiting. I ended up narrowing down my list to about three schools and spent the night at all three. I immediately felt at home on my overnight at Union, and felt that it would be the perfect fit between my social life, academics, and tennis.

Del Schunk
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; Union College was my first choice among the many small liberal arts colleges I was planning to apply to. I first heard of the school from my teammate Zach Kaplan, who I knew from home. Once I went on my recruiting, visit I immediately fell in love with the school and all it had to offer.

Sam Varsano
: 5' 8"; Junior; My main draw towards Union was because of its stellar reputation. I knew I wanted to go to a school where I could proudly say that I was a student and always receive positive recognition for it. I was also attracted to the balance of not just the academic components of the school but the opportunity to be involved elsewhere around campus.

Max Egna
: 5' 10"; First Year; I chose to attend Union because of many reasons. First, when I stayed on an overnight, I was extremely impressed with the coaching staff and team members. All the guys on the team were super friendly and easy to get along with, which was a very important piece in my decision to come to Union. Next, I thought that the social life at Union was far better than any of the other schools I visited; people here are very nice and inviting. Lastly, the great academics were exactly what I was looking for. Class sizes are small and you always get the attention you need.

Austin Egna
: 5' 10"; First Year; I chose Union because it just seemed so perfect for me. The athletics combined with the academics complement each other, and, for such a small liberal arts college, the spirit and all around positive interactions I had at the school amazed me and made me want to become part of something special.

Sam Cox
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; I chose Union because of the Liberal Arts curriculum that allows students to take a wide breadth of courses in different subject areas, while also being able to make connections between them through an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking. I also enjoy being able to play a varsity sport while continuing to expand my extracurricular interests through other clubs and campus activities.

Yao Pan
: 5' 7"; Junior; Union was my first and only choice because of its great mechanical engineering program and small class size. Since my interest is in industrial design, I am majoring in visual arts and minoring in mechanical engineering. There are many opportunities to discuss with my professors about my study plans and design projects from different perspectives.