Tuesday, March 17, 1998

Smashing success

Netmen win four out of five on road, prepare for conference opener

By JOSHUA RHETT MILLER
Collegian Sports Writer

Five matches in eight days in three different cities sounds rather stiff for a so-called "spring break." Nevertheless, the Penn State men's tennis team came through.

The Nittany Lions (5-3) enjoyed a spring training trip in Miami while winning four of its five matches against powerhouses such as Princeton and Temple. Penn State's lone loss came to Florida International.

Colin Smeeton hits the ball during a team practice at the tennis center. (Collegian Photo/Andrea Elizabeth Kohler - click for full size image)

Penn State kicked off its break by traveling to Princeton to face the Tigers in a very important regional match for both schools. Penn State overcame the Tigers by winning the first four singles matches, including two crucial victories by junior Mike Griesser and senior Colin Smeeton. Griesser easily defeated Princeton's top gun Jon Gilula (6-1, 6-3) and Smeeton handed Princeton freshman Kyle Kliegerman his first singles loss of the season (7-6(6), 6-1).

"Kliegerman is one of the best players in the East," Smeeton said, "so I wanted to win very bad and clinch the victory for us."

Coach Jan Bortner commented on how Griesser is handling the top seed for the Lions.

"Griesser is starting to settle in at the top spot," Bortner said. "He can be a force for us this season."

The play of Griesser and Smeeton led the way in Penn State's 5-2 victory against Princeton.

"Our win against Princeton was definitely our most important of the trip," Smeeton said. "It assured us a spot in the NCAA Championships."

After defeating Princeton, Penn State went to Miami to face Temple and Florida International, two very strong programs.

Penn State split the matches -- it defeated Temple 5-2 then lost to Florida International 4-3. Both matches were played outside, something new to the Lions this season.

"Playing outside takes a while to get used to," Smeeton said. "But we pulled it off."

Penn State came close, but did not "pull it off" against Florida International, a team used to playing outside with winds and bright sunlight. The weather was a touchy subject for the Lions.

"The weather outside really affected us," Bortner said. "It did not affect Florida International however."

Smeeton said the outside weather was a definite advantage for Florida International and the outcome might have been different if played indoors. Freshman Damon Accardi felt the weather was a factor but not the main reason why the team lost.

"The weather had something to do with our loss," Accardi said. "But, that wasn't the only thing, the match was going to be very close either way."

The Lions then returned home to chilly State College to face St. Bonaventure and St. Francis.

Home sweet home.

After two close matches against Temple and Florida International, the Lions crushed both schools 7-0. The Lions did not lose a set during singles play against St. Bonaventure and swept the doubles competition as well.

The two shutout victories capped off a very productive break for the Penn State men's tennis team.

"We had lots and lots of practice," Bortner said. "And some big wins too."

The Lions are back in action Saturday when they face their first Big Ten opponent of the year, Wisconsin.

The meet will be played at home, indoors, free of wind and sun -- a situation the Lions are more accustomed to.