Men's Tennis Captures 8-1 Conference Win Over Waynesburg

April 8 – BETHANY, W. Va. – The Bethany College men's tennis team (5-2) improved their Presidents' Athletic Conference record to the .500 mark, posting an 8-1 victory over Waynesburg University on Friday afternoon at the Mary Ewing Tennis Center. 

The Green & White found themselves leading 3-0 after doubles action, taking the advantage on a pair of close decisions. At No. 1 doubles, the duo of freshmen Rhone Thrash (Parkersburg, W. Va./Parkersburg) and Drake Berlin (Washington Court House, Ohio/Washington) improved their record to an impressive 6-1 on the season, defeating Tim Harris and Josh Denham by an 8-6 score. 

At No. 2 doubles, the team of Kyle Booker (Forest Park, Ga./Forest Park) and Chris Ray (Henrico, Va./Mills E. Godwin) needed an extra point to take down Jonah Cooper and Adam McKnight, winning the second flight by a 9-7 score. The win improved the duo's record to 5-2 on the year. 

In singles play, Thrash and Booker both became double winners on the afternoon, winning both of their flights in straight sets. Thrash took down Harris by scores of 6-2, 6-1, while Booker won his bout with Denham by scores of 6-2, 6-2. Both Bison moved their individual marks to 5-2 on the season. 

Joining the pair in the win column in singles action was Marcus Hooks (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon), who captured a three-set victory over McKnight. Hooks dropped the first set 6-1 before rallying to take set two by the same score. The junior then moved his individual mark to 5-2 on the year by taking the tiebreaker by a 10-7 score. 

With the win over the Yellow Jackets, the Bison are now 5-2 through seven matches, including a 1-1 mark in the PAC. The overall record by the Green & White marks the best start by the Bison since the turn of the century. 

Bethany returns to PAC action on Sunday, April 10, as they host Thomas More College at the Mary Ewing Tennis Center. The matchup with the Saints is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.