Bethany finishes fifth at PAC Men's Tennis Championships

Andrew Woodley, Sports Information Director

ERIE, Pa. (April 29) - The Bethany College men's tennis team finished in fifth place overall at the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championships held Friday and Saturday morning at the Pennbriar Athletic Club.

Thomas More earned the team title, posting 45 points to edge 26-time defending league-champion Grove City by a single-point. Saint Vincent (34 points) took third, while Washington & Jefferson (31 points) and Bethany (17 points) rounded out the top-five.

Bethany sophomore Rhone Thrash (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) played a key role in helping the Bison secure fifth place at the event. He took third place at No. 2 singles after defeating Jon Fleet of Grove City in straight sets (6-4, 6-1) in a consolation match. Thrash also teamed up with senior Jack Waters (Epsom, United Kingdom/Glyn School) to take third place at the No. 2 doubles spot. The duo defeated Saint Vincent's Zach Fox and Jon Oskin 8-6 in a consolation match after falling to the eventual championship team from Thomas More in the semifinals.

Sophomore Drake Berlin (Washington Court House, Ohio/Washington) took home fourth place at No. 3 singles. Berlin won his quarterfinal match, but was defeated by the eventual champion at third singles, Michael Kenney of Thomas More. Berlin then dropped a three-set consolation match to Luke Clahane of W&J (6-3, 1-6, 6-1) to secure fourth place.

Saint Vincent's Jonathan Prichard was named the PAC Player of the Year after winning the championship match at No. 1 singles, while Thomas More's Chris Eilerman was tabbed the league's coach of the year.