Men's Tennis topples Bridgewater (Va.) 8-1

By Blake Moore

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The Ohio Northern men's tennis program claimed its third win in the 2018-19 season Thursday afternoon, defeating the Bridgewater (Va.) Eagles 8-1 at the Chaplin Park Tennis Complex in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

With the victory, the Polar Bears even their overall record at 3-3 this year, including a 2-1 mark on their annual Spring Break trip. Meanwhile, BC falls to 2-4 overall on the season.

Junior Connor Christian (Gallipolis/Gallia Academy), sophomore Hoang Do (Powell/Olentangy Liberty), and freshmen Andrew Cochran (Wooster) and Zach Beaschler (Ada) led the Ohio Northern efforts, each finishing with a 2-0 record in Thursday's match.

ONU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after sweeping the three doubles matches to kick off the nonconference affair.

Sophomore Vinh Thai (Galloway/St. Charles) and freshman Noah Elliott (Hilliard/Davidson) captured an 8-5 victory at No. 1 doubles while Do and Beaschler turned in a similar result on the No. 2 court. Meanwhile, Christian and Cochran dominated at No. 3 doubles, defeating the Eagles' Nicholas Kiser and Robert Williard 8-1.

In singles action, Christian guided the individual efforts with a 6-0, 6-0 victory in the No. 6 slot.

Elliott, Beaschler, Do, and Cochran picked up the remaining wins after sweeping the No. 2-5 courts, respectively. Elliott posted a 6-2, 6-4 victory; Beaschler won 6-3, 6-2; Do claimed a 6-3, 6-4 decision; and Cochran turned in a 6-1, 6-1 triumph.

Ohio Northern will conclude its 2019 Spring Break trip to Hilton Head Island tomorrow with a doubleheader against Eastern Nazarene (Mass.) and Roanoke (Va.). Match times are set for 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Center and Hilton Head High School courts, respectively.