Bethany Men’s Tennis Cruises Past Westminster

April 15 – BETHANY, W. Va. – The Bethany College men's tennis team extended their Presidents' Athletic Conference winning streak to four games with an 8-1 victory over Westminster College on Friday afternoon.

The Bison (8-2, 4-1 PAC) took a 3-0 lead against the Titans (1-3, 1-2 PAC) after doubles action, marking the fourth consecutive match they have swept the opening three points. Bethany has now won seven of their last eight matches, including four in a row. 

The duo of freshmen Rhone Thrash (Parkersburg, W. Va./Parkersburg) and Drake Berlin (Washington Court House, Ohio/Washington) improved to 9-1 in No. 1 doubles play, taking down Westminster's A.J. May and Kornel Foremski, 8-4.

Senior Kyle Booker (Forest Park, Ga./Forest Park) and sophomore Chris Ray (Henrico, Va./Mills E. Godwin) cruised to an 8-3 victory at No. 2 doubles over Ethan McCarthy and Bryan Greig, and the No. 3 team of juniors Jack Waters (Epsom, United Kingdom/Glyn School) and Marcus Hooks (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon) rolled to an 8-1 win over Jon Clark and Fedja Smajic.

In singles action, the Green & White continued their strong play, winning five individuals matches against the Titans. Waters dominated at No. 6 singles, defeating Smajic by scores of 6-1, 6-0.

Ray moved to 7-2 on the year with a straight-sets victory (6-0, 6-3) over Clark at No. 5 singles, while Hooks posted a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles to improve to 8-2 this season.

Thrash and Booker earned points for the Bison as well. Thrash moved to 8-2 in No. 1 singles with a victory (6-2, 6-3) over May, while Booker impressed with a 6-3, 6-3 win over McCarthy at No. 3 singles. 

Bethany currently sits third in the PAC with a conference mark of 4-1. The Bison will return to action on Monday, April 18 when they travel to Latrobe, Pa. to take on Saint Vincent College at 12:30 p.m. The Bearcats reside above Bethany at second in the conference standings with a 6-1 record.