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Tennis Cats Overcome Green in 2nd Round of OTCA Tournament

By Joe Ginley '12 , 04/23/19, 10:45AM EDT

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On Monday, the Wildcats were at full strength for the first time this season.

At least for a couple matches. Nate Day returned to the court after missing a few matches due to illness, but withdrew in the second set after feeling sick. 

Even still, the Wildcats emerged with a 4-1 victory over Green in the second round of the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association (OTCA) Team Tournament after drawing a first-round bye. The Tennis Cats advanced to 8-1 overall on the year with the victory.

Day's return to the court started off well, as the sophomore claimed a 6-3 victory in the first set. Day and his opponent, Logan Largovsky battled to a 4-4 draw in the second stanza. Day then began to feel ill, and departed the match. Largovsky took the victory at the No. 1 singles by default, as a result.

The highlight of the day occurred on the No. 2 singles court. Arjun Brahmbhatt made his triumphant return for the Wildcats, appearing in his first contest of the season. The junior played very well, showing no signs of rust in rolling to a 6-0 conquest in the first set. His foe from Green adjusted in the second stanza, but Brahmbhatt was not to be denied in his homecoming. The junior roared to a 6-3 win in the second set for his first victory of the season. 

Kai Vesikallio filled the No. 3 singles role and performed well. The freshman phenom roped a 6-3 win in the first set, a hard-fought conquest. Despite a steep fight from Green's Dylan Westmayer, Vesikallio handled the pressure in the second set, securing another 6-3 win.

The familiar duo of Jack McNally and Thomas Deucher entered the limelight at No. 1 doubles. The senior-junior duo clipped the competition easily in the first set, 6-0. The Bulldogs avoided a bagel in the second set, but McNally and Deucher cooked up a 6-2 victory. 

Kenny Li paired up with a new partner at No. 2 doubles – Drew Barclay. The senior has often occupied a singles role this season with Day and Brahmbhatt sidelined. But with the other two healthy, Barclay teamed up with Li. The senior and sophomore turned out to be an unstoppable duo. Barclay and Li easily carded a 6-0, 6-0 double bagel to complete a total victory for the men of Ohio City.

"It was great to have Arjun back and clinch the win," Head Coach Bobbe Bennett said of the victory. "Nate is still a little under the weather, so it was great to have everyone play so well and win their courts."

With the win, the Wildcats will play the winner of Walsh Jesuit vs. Hudson in the next round of the OTCA Tournament, on a date to be determined. The Wildcats' next scheduled match is on Thursday vs. Solon.