The NCAA News - News and Features

May 19, 1997

Something old, something new in II tennis

Perennial favorite wins fifth straight men's title

When Lander began competing as an NCAA member institution in 1992-93, many in the Division II men's tennis community expected the Senators to be among the division's successful teams -- based on their success in the NAIA.

But few expected the dominance that Lander has displayed.

Lander claimed two of three doubles matches and added triumphs at Nos. 1, 4 and 6 singles to defeat West Florida, 5-1, and win its fifth consecutive title May 8-11 at Springfield, Missouri. Southwest Baptist served as championship host.

Lander, which has claimed the Division II crown each year since it became an NCAA member, and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (1978 through 1984) are the only teams to win five consecutive team titles.

Lynn claimed the third-place match, defeating Barry, 5-4. Lynn was the championship's No. 2 seed; Barry the No. 4 seed.

Dropping only three team points in four matches, Lander capped a 20-0 season behind the play of Claes Persson and Maurice Szpydowski, who posted victories in doubles and singles.

The Senators have surrendered only eight team points in their last 12 championship matches over a three-year span.

Persson and Frank Potthoff claimed victory at No. 1 doubles and Szpydowski teamed with Ricardo Almeida at No. 3 doubles to give Lander a 2-1 lead entering singles.

Persson added to the Senators' lead with a two-set triumph over Patric Staalbark at No. 1 singles, while Szpydowski posted a two-set triumph at No. 6 singles.

Janne Vilhunen accounted for Lander's final team point, defeating Peter Jorgensen in two sets at No. 4 singles.

In the third-place match, Lynn outlasted Barry by rallying from a 2-1 doubles deficit to claim four of six singles matches.

FIRST ROUND

Lander 5, Central Okla. 1; Armstrong Atlantic 5, West Tex. A&M 1; Bloomsburg 5, UC Davis 1; Barry 5, Lees-McRae 0; West Fla. 5, Barton 0; Northwood 5, Valdosta St. 4; Abilene Christian 5, Elon 0; Lynn 5, Cal Poly Pomona 0.

QUARTERFINALS

Lander 5, Armstrong Atlantic 0; Barry 5, Bloomsburg 3; West Fla. 5, Northwood 0; Lynn 5, Abilene Christian 2.

SEMIFINALS

Lander 5, Barry 1; West Fla. 5, Lynn 2.

THIRD PLACE

Lynn 5, Barry 4

Doubles -- No. 1: Ivan Keskinov-Fabio Massetta, Lynn, def. Herbert Bende-Jean Max-Mangones, Barry, 8-3; No. 2: Jose Roig-Iphton Louis, Barry, def. Sascha Wullschleger-Obren Milutinovic, Lynn, 8-4; No. 3: Lior Chalbianski-David Cardozo, Barry, def. Brett Ormandy-Chris Koskorelos, Lynn, 8-1.

Singles -- No. 1: Ivan Keskinov, Lynn, def. Herbert Bende, Barry, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1; No. 2: Fabio Massetta, Lynn, def. Iphton Louis, Barry, 6-1, 6-3; No. 3: Lior Chalbianski, Barry, def. Brett Ormandy, Lynn, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2; No. 4: Sascha Wullschleger, Lynn, def. Jose Roig, Barry, 6-4, 6-3; No. 5: Obren Milutinovic, Lynn, def. Alan Murray, Barry, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5; No. 6: David Cardozo, Barry, def. Chris Koskorelos, Lynn, 6-3, 6-1.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Lander 5, West Fla. 1

Doubles -- No. 1: Claes Persson-Frank Potthoff, Lander, def. Jens Gerlach-Holger Rebholz, West Fla., 8-3; No. 2: Patric Staalbark-Peter Jorgensen, West Fla., def. Laio Teixeira-Martin Kahm, Lander, 8-4; No. 3: Ricardo Almeida-Maurice Szpydowski, Lander, def. Julian DuBosq-Jorn Hope, West Fla., 8-5.

Singles -- No. 1: Claes Persson, Lander, def. Patric Staalbark, West Fla., 6-3, 7-5; No. 2: Suspended; No. 3: Suspended; No. 4: Janne Vilhunen, Lander, def. Peter Jorgensen, West Fla., 6-2, 6-3; No. 5: Suspended; No. 6: Maurice Szpydowski, Lander, def. Jorn Hope, West Fla., 6-1, 6-2.