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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Revenge was what Metro men's tennis team wanted, and revenge is what they got. After coasting to two easy wins in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament, the Roadrunners met Nebraska-Kearney on April 27 in Kearney, in the final match to decide the conference champion.
The Lopers had given Metro their only RMAC loss of the season, beating the Runners' 5-4 after sweeping doubles in the April 5 meet. The rematch wouldn't be that different.
"It was pretty simple," Metro head coach Dave Alden said. "It came down to doubles."
Alden knew that the Finals matchup was going to be different after his squad took 2-of-3 doubles matches. They rode the momentum and seized three singles wins to finish the victory, and take the RMAC title, with a 5-2 desicion.
"Anytime you can do that, and on somebody's home court, that's great." Alden said about taking down Kearney.
The weeks of waiting for a chance to get back at the team who had given them their only RMAC blemish had been spent preparing for the rematch, and getting the result in doubles.
"We came out and took the wind out of their sails in doubles," Alden said.
Knocking off their rivals capped off another great season for the Metro men's tennis team, who took home their second consecutive RMAC championship.
"It shows that their work ethic and commitment has paid off," Alden said of his team.
A repeat as champions wasn't always a given for the 2008 season, as half of this year's roster contains freshmen.
"We changed out 50 percent of the team," Alden said. "But the existing players continued to work and improve and helped the freshmen understand what college tennis is about."
The work paid off. Against Kearney, senior Sean Carlton had a tough time in the regular season matchup with the Lopers. Carlton dropped both his singles and doubles match in the 5-4 loss. He rebounded well on Sunday taking out his singles opponent and combining with fellow freshman Brandon Lupo to win in his doubles match.
"Sean (Carlton) played fantastic," Alden said.
Doubles partner Lupo, another big force that has helped Metro reach the ultimate goal, was named RMAC Freshman of the Year after his superb rookie campaign. With fellow freshmen phenoms Angelo Faustino and Ryan Campbell filling out a great class of Roadrunners newcomers, a third championship is not out of the question, as the Metro program continues to draw attention.
"Good programs have a way of attracting good players," Alden said.
But before recruiting takes precedent, the NCAA Tournament looms large starting on May 8, where the men will try to build on last year's semifinal run.
"On any given day I believe that we can compete with any of the teams," Alden said.
Metro women's tennis squad had less success in the RMAC Tournament, finishing an up-and-down season with a loss to the Lopers 5-1. But Metro's head coach will quickly tell you how good their opponents were.
"The women played a great match," Alden said. "And lost to the eventual conference champions."
The Roadrunner women ended their season fifth in the RMAC standings with a 2-4 record. There were occasional flashes of brilliant play, but it wasn't enough to help Metro win more meets. Alden is optimistic about his women's team's chances next year.
"It's another year of experience these girls have gotten under their belts," Alden said. "We will be more than competitive in the RMAC."
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