April 11, 2011

Detroit, Mich. – When hired as head coach of the Wayne State men's tennis program in 2008, Bryan Morrow's goal was to mold the program into a championship contender.

Three short years later, the head coach's vision has become a reality.

The Warriors sit a half-match behind Northwood University for first place in the GLIAC and a win in Wednesday's matchup in Midland with the Timberwolves at 2:00 p.m., would earn WSU its first conference title since 1981.

“The Northwood match is one of my favorite matches of the year,” Morrow said. “Northwood is always one of the top teams in the country, and again this year, they're right there. It's s good measuring stick for us, to see exactly where we are at.”

In addition to making school history, the team has an opportunity to unseat the Timberwolves' dominance in the conference. Northwood has won the past 11 titles outright, so the Warriors have a chance at becoming the first team to share the title since Ferris State did it in with NU in 1999.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Last week, after suffering a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to Grand Valley on April 3, the Warriors displayed the resilience required by champions.

Having to win three straight matches to keep its conference title hopes alive, the team did just that, beginning with a thrilling 6-3 triumph over Ferris State (12-7, 7-2) on April 5.

With the Warriors leading 4-3, a win from either Oscar Gamarra (Guayaquil, Ecuador) or Melvin Joseph (Northville, Mich.) in their No. 3 and No. 4 singles bouts, respectively, would clinch the match. Both walked away with victories in three-set tie-breakers.

Joseph officially won it for the Warriors, defeating Justin Hermes, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3) before Gamarra capped his fourth straight singles win with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3) triumph over Steven Roberts.

“The guys really had to step up to the challenge in the Ferris State match,” Morrow stated. “We had to move Gamarra and Joseph up in the lineup, away from their normal spots, and both guys stepped up with big wins for us. Ferris (State) is a great team and that was as close as a match as you can have. I could not be prouder of how the guys came through.”

The achievement against the Bulldogs was followed by a 9-0 win at Findlay.

Gamarra earned his fifth straight singles and doubles against the Oilers. He bested David Hebda, 6-3, 6-2, and teamed with Alec Attala (Clinton Twp., Mich.), defeating Josh Smedley and Bryan Little, 8-3.

“Oscar fights every time he is on the court,” Morrow praised. “Watching him play and compete is exactly what you hope your college athletes will do.”

Aman Gill (Windsor, Ont.) and Joseph teamed at No. 2 doubles, and trailed 4-1 in the bout before outscoring Kyle Collette and Yashwant Pulumati 7-1 the rest of the way, earning an 8-2 decision.

Gill scored a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Pulumati in No. 2 singles, while Joseph beat Smedley in No. 4 singles, 6-1, 6-3.

The squad ended the week with an 8-1 victory at Tiffin.

Despite suffering a setback at No. 3 singles against the Dragons, Gamarra teamed with Attala to win their sixth straight No. 3 doubles match.

“Alec and Oscar have really blended well together,” Morrow said. “They are fun to watch. The two of them can compete with anybody at three doubles.”

A LOOK AHEAD

The Warriors return to Midland this Friday for the 2011 GLIAC Tournament. WSU is guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed, but a victory tomorrow earns the Warriors the No. 1 spot.

2011 CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW

First Round – Friday, April 15– 2 p.m.

Match 1: #1 vs. #8
Match 2: #4 vs. #5
Match 3: #2 vs. #7
Match 4: #3 vs. #6

Second Round - Saturday, April 16 – 1 p.m.

Match 5: Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2
Match 6: Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4
Match 7: Loser of Match 1 vs. Loser of Match 2
Match 8: Loser of Match 3 vs. Loser of Match 4

Final Round - Sunday, April 17 - TBA

Match 9 (1st-Place Match): Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 6
Match 10 (3rd-place Match): Loser of Match 5 vs. Loser of Match 6
Match 11 (5th-Place Match): Winner of Match 7 vs. Winner of Match 8
Match 12 (7th-place Match): Loser of Match 7 vs. Loser of Match 8