NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – After getting several exhibition opportunities together in the fall, the Centre men's tennis team (0-1) kicked off their 2023 spring season out on the east coast for a weekend in Virginia. The Colonels faced off first against no. 37-ranked Christopher Newport on Friday, the Captains taking down the Gold & White on a final score of 8-1.
The two teams battled it out in the doubles portion first, Centre tossing together three new doubles teams than what they featured last season. The first varsity doubles match to conclude had a final score of 8-3,
Chase Turley and
Jasper Gazzo falling as the no. 3 team.
Faraz Ghamgosar and
Ben Rueff finished the contest on an 8-4 final score, the duo slotted in the no. 2 spot of the lineup.
Bo Bush and
Ty Bush tag-teamed together as the no. 1 slot of the lineup and had the closest fight between the three matches, falling on a close score of 8-6. There was a fourth doubles exhibition match that went on during the front portion of the contest,
Ashton Whitt and
Jett Anderson teaming up for an 8-7 (7-5) final mark that wouldn't fall their way but fought until the end.
The team took on the singles portion of the series next, the Captains clinching the win after a handle of the series concluded. Ghamgosar was the first match to finish in his no. 1 spot on the lineup, the senior fighting tight in the second set but couldn't pull through on a 6-2, 7-5 final score.
Ty Bush would make his singles debut with a back-and-forth battle against his no. 2 opponent, the freshman falling in a tight 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 final score. Whitt emerged as the lone winner on the day, taking down his opponent in the no. 4 slot of the lineup in a 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3 shootout.
Bo Bush was the fourth double to conclude, his 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 loss had a strong second set that pushed until the end.
Ben Rueff (no. 5) and
Jett Anderson (no. 6) each also couldn't pull through a victory, both falling in two sets 7-5, 6-1 and a close 6-4, 7-5, respectively.
After a hard-fought battle, the Gold & White will look to take the positives from Friday's ranked opponent and look to carry the momentum into Saturday, Feb. 11 where they next take on Mary Washington. The Colonels will make the Fredericksburg, Va., institution their second stop on a three-match trip across Virginia, the Saturday contest kicking off at 3 p.m. ET.
