Viewfinder: CAC Tennis Championships

"This is our house." University of Mary Washington Men's tennis coach Todd Helbling didn't have to say anything else. His Eagles rallied back from a 2-1 defecit following doubles play, to defeat Salisbury 5-4 and claim the 2011 CAC tennis championship.

"It’s truly an awesome feeling," said UMW sophomore Sam Wichlin. “After finding ourselves down early in doubles, our team brought more intensity in singles play.”

UMW, winners of the CAC for twelve years running, looked to be in serious danger of snapping that streak early on. In doubles play, the duo of Kevin Aquino and Alex Blakhin salvaged a lone point for the Eagles.

After doubles play left the Eagles trailing 2-1, UMW won three quick singles matches, by Kevin Aquino at six, Kaz Murata at two, and Riley Baver at five to come within one point of victory. Salisbury won at three singles to cut the deficit to 4-3, but sophomore Will Apperson overcame a shaky start at four for a 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 win to clinch the title.

"It was a great feeling to clinch," remarked an ecstatic Apperson. "The match was still up for grabs and could have gone either way."

The Eagles will move onto the NCAA regionals in two weeks.

Tennis Match Results
Salisbury vs Mary Washington
Apr 21, 2011 at Fredericksburg, Va.

#5 Mary Washington 5, #7 Salisbury 4

Singles competition 
1. Andrew Nottage (SAL) def. Sam Wichlin (UMW) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6)
2. Kaz Murata (UMW) def. David Lupinetti (SAL) 6-2, 6-2
3. Daniel Barnas (SAL) def. Alex Blakhin (UMW) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Will Apperson (UMW) def. Henry Stuhler (SAL) 2-6, 7-5, 7-5
5. Riley Baver (UMW) def. Giorgio Athans (SAL) 6-2, 6-3
6. Kevin Aquino (UMW) def. Justin Smith (SAL) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles competition 
1. Daniel Barnas/Andrew Nottage (SAL) def. Riley Baver/Kaz Murata (UMW) 8-5
2. David Lupinetti/Henry Stuhler (SAL) def. Andrew Frisk/Will Apperson (UMW) 8-2
3. Alex Blakhin/Kevin Aquino (UMW) def. Curtis Quandt/Giorgio Athans (SAL) 8-4

Match Notes:
Salisbury 15-8; Regional ranking #7
Mary Washington 16-10; National ranking #23; Regional ranking #5
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,2,5,3,4,1)
2011 Capital Athletic Conference Championship

-Clint Often contributed to this article