BRUNSWICK, Maine –
Reid Staples delivered a straight-set win at number two singles, capping a dramatic run to the 2024 NESCAC championship for the Bowdoin College men's tennis team on Sunday as the Polar Bears defeated Tufts 5-3 for the conference crown.
The Polar Bears (19-6) become the first fifth-seed ever to the win the league title and, in the process, avenged all three regular season NESCAC losses in the tournament, defeating Amherst, Middlebury, and Tufts in succession. It is the fourth conference championship overall for the Polar Bears (2018, '17, '08).
Bowdoin, ranked sixth in the latest ITA Division III poll, will receive the NESCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament and will likely receive a hosting nod for a regional in Brunswick when the bracket is released on Monday.
Match Highlights
- The Polar Bears could not have gotten off to a better start, as they sprinted to a 3-0 lead in doubles play.
- Andrew Mendelson and Pieter Breuker collected a 8-4 win, followed closely by Tristan Bradley and Reid Staples at 8-6.
- Number two doubles went to a tiebreaker and, in what ended up being a crucial tipping point of the match, Ethan Bradley and Jackson Codd prevailed 8-7 (7-3) to give Bowdoin a commanding 3-0 edge.
- With only four courts available indoors, the Jumbos clawed back into contention, winning three of the first four completed singles matches to cut into Bowdoin's lead.
- Tristan Bradley came through in a big three-set win at number one, however, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, leaving two matches remaining.
- Reid Staples slammed the door shut at number two singles for Bowdoin, winning in decisive straight-set fashion, 6-3, 6-2, to clinch the Polar Bears' fourth NESCAC championship.
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