Jefferson MTEN Advances to NCAA D2 Sweet 16
Courtesy of Jefferson Athletics
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (April 28, 2023) – The Thomas Jefferson University men's tennis team (21-4) advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in program history with a convincing 4-0 victory over Southern New Hampshire (14-6) in the Rams' NCAA Division II Tournament opener on Friday afternoon.
Jefferson moves on to the national championships at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. from May 11-16. The Rams' next opponent will be announced next week after the remaining 16 teams are seeded for the championships. Jefferson was the second seed for the East Region while Southern New Hampshire was third.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rams got off to a rough start, dropping a 6-3 decision at first doubles. However, it would be the only loss of the day for Jefferson. Hannibal Borg and Elliot Jarosz secured a 6-2 win at second doubles then Antonio Mateos Melenchon and Jules Thibault provided the doubles-clinching triumph at the third position, 6-4.
Riding the momentum from winning the doubles point, the Rams dominated singles action, winning the opening set on all six courts. Mario Antonio cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 victory in the fifth flight to give Jefferson a 2-0 lead. Enrique Soto Ballester put the Rams on the cusp with a 6-2, 6-3 win in the third spot. Finally, Hubert Theriault sent Jefferson to the Round of 16 with a 6-4, 6-3 victory at first singles.
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. Jonathan Berling/Fernando Torres (SNH) def. German Lopez Andujar/Hubert Theriault (JEFFMTEN) 6-3
2. Hannibal Borg/Elliot Jarosz (JEFFMTEN) def. Jesse Den Hartog/Cade Nadeau (SNH) 6-2
3. A. Mateos Melenchon/Jules Thibault (JEFFMTEN) def. Phillipp Roeder/Aron Ouwejan (SNH) 6-4
SINGLES RESULTS
1. Hubert Theriault (JEFFMTEN) def. Jonathan Berling (SNH) 6-4, 6-3
2. German Lopez Andujar (JEFFMTEN) vs. Jesse Den Hartog (SNH) 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
3. E. Soto Ballester (JEFFMTEN) def. Fernando Torres (SNH) 6-2, 6-3
4. Hannibal Borg (JEFFMTEN) vs. Cade Nadeau (SNH) 6-3, 4-4, unfinished
5. Mario Antonio (JEFFMTEN) def. Phillipp Roeder (SNH) 6-2, 6-1
6. Jules Thibault (JEFFMTEN) vs. Aron Ouwejan (SNH) 6-4, 4-5, unfinished
NOTES
- It was the Rams' third NCAA Tournament win in program history. They previously earned victories in 2010 and 2011.
ABOUT THE CACC
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference composed of 13 institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The member institutions are Alliance University, Bloomfield College, University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican (N.Y.) University, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.