Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the opposing team. It was that kind of day for the Jumbos when they faced Brown University on Friday on the Bears' home court. Despite playing well lately, the Jumbos were steamrolled 9-0 and are hoping to regroup for their upcoming match on Wednesday at Connecticut College.
Freshman Jake Gross was the only Jumbo to win a game, though he fell in a four game match at the number one spot to junior Breck Bailey of Brown 1-9, 2-9, 9-3, 9-10.
"I knew Jake's match was going to be close," coach Doug Eng said. "In the third game he started to attack his opponent's forehand more, and that helped him get back into the match a little bit."
Gross agreed with his coach's assessment.
"It was a little bit disappointing. I didn't show up for the first two games at all, but I started to exploit his forehand a little bit and become more patient and it turned out to be very close," said Gross.
Despite the loss, Gross felt he took away some important lessons from his near-turnaround.
"I thought I adjusted well in the match," Gross said. "The last game was neck-and-neck and if it had gone five games I think I could have won. I just need to start adjusting earlier."
At the number two position, junior co-captain Spencer Maxwell fell 0-9, 4-9, 0-9. Freshman Nelson Schubart faced a similar fate as he was defeated 0-9, 5-9, 3-9. Senior co-captain Fernando Kriete lost in three games at number four as well. Freshman Kris Leetavorn dropped his match at number five.
Sophomore Dave Linz had a closer match than some of his teammates, but still lost 1-9, 7-9, 2-9. Junior Tom Keidel also came close to winning a game but fell 7-9, 3-9, 0-9 at the number seven spot.
Junior Pranav Tripathi and freshman Jonah Peppiatt both lost in three games at the number eight and nine positions, respectively.
Heading into the match, Eng knew his team was facing a very talented squad.
"We played solid but not spectacular," Eng said. "We could've played better at a few spots, but you have to give Brown credit because they played very well."
Gross saw a bright spot in individual improvements as a result of playing such a dominant team.
"We knew we weren't going to win," Gross said. "The important thing for us was for each player to take something out of the match that will make them better in the future."
"We had a lot of good rallies," Gross added. "And Dominic Wong won in the exhibition match at the number 10 spot in five games which was good."
The Jumbos know they need to be ready when they play a pesky Connecticut College squad on Wednesday.
"Right now we need to work on improving our fitness and hustle," Eng said. "We've got to put more into our matches and really cut down on our unforced errors."
Eng feels that the Jumbos are more talented than Connecticut, but in order to win they will need to be come out at a high level.
"Connecticut College is a hustle team," Eng said. "They always push us very hard. We could win 9-0 because we have a lot of talent, but it's really going to come down to how much we want it."
"Connecticut is ranked 18th right now," Gross said. "So we know they are strong but I think we have a good shot to win."
The Camels are known for their consistency and Eng feels that this is something the Jumbos need to be cognizant of.
"Some teams are very disciplined and they just don't make errors so you can't just go out expecting to win," Eng said. "We know we have the talent but we've got to want it more than them if we're going to win."
After the match against Connecticut College, the Jumbos are going to be in for a very busy weekend, as they face Bowdoin, Bates, Northwestern, and Vassar.
"This weekend is going to be huge for us," Gross said. "Bowdoin is a strong team that we might be able to upset if we play really well. Bates might be a little bit of a reach for us, but they should all be good matches."
