University of Virginia Library

In Season Opener

Netmen Surprise Penn State, 5-4

By BILL BERNO

Wind and cold played the
leading roles, and the players
were relegated to supporting
parts as the Cavalier tennis team
edged Penn State, 5-4, on the
Perry Foundation courts
yesterday.

In weather that made
muscles stiff and shots
unpredictable, the youthful
Cavs showed that they can play
under any conditions by
downing an experienced
Nittany Lion squad.

Surprisingly, three of the
team's five points were scored
by first-yearmen. In addition,
second-yearman Rick Swift
teamed with rookie Don Napier
to win a point in number three
doubles. The fifth point was
provided by second-yearman
Jim Ratliff, who won the
number two singles.

Captain Doug Waterman
started fast, but was the victim
of a comeback by Walker Shival
who won the match, 2-6, 6-3,
6-4. Meanwhile, Ratliff was
edging Jan Bortner, 7-5, 6-4.

In the number three singles
match, Frank Hatten crushed
Tom Wright, 6-1, 6-2. His
doubles partner, Hoyt Murray,
extended John Karr to the limit
before falling, 6-4, 7-5.

Napier dumped Cliff Myers,
6-3, 6-1, but Bruce Isadore was
able to save face for the Penn
Staters by defeating Swift in a
three-set marathon, 4-6, 6-4,
6-4.

The outcome was still in
doubt as the teams entered the
doubles competition, with each
squad having picked up three
points in the singles. However,
the Cavaliers came out and blew
the Lions off the court in a pair
of doubles matches to clinch the
victory.

The number two team of
Murray and Hatten had little
trouble disposing of Bortner
and Pollock, 6-1, 6-0. Then
Swift and Napier hung on to
defeat Karr and Myers, 6-1, 7-6,
and give the win to the Cavs.

Neither team relaxed in the
final doubles match as Frank
Spratlin and Ratliff never gave
up, losing in the final moments
to Shival and Wright, 4-6, 7-6,
6-4. Even though the match was
meaningless, the teams labored
until dusk to decide the winner.

Coach Gordon Burris said,
"I'm very pleased", but added
that "it's hard to judge our
performance with the wind."
The wind was unfortunate, as it
made many of the players miss
shots, and disrupted the serving
game. Gusts often blew
good shots out of play and
brought bad shots back into
play.

No matter what the weather,
the Cavs must have played well
to defeat a Penn State squad
that returned everyone from
last year. But the Nittany Lions'
experience did not help them, as
Mr. Burris' youngsters showed
much poise and promise.

Next on the schedule for the
tennis team is a four day home
stand from Saturday until
Tuesday. The matches, which
start at 2 p.m., will be played
against Swarthmore,
Dartmouth, Williams, and
Rochester.

Photo By Bob Humphreys

The Varsity Tennis Team Kicked Off Its Spring Season Yesterday At U-Hall Courts

First-yearmen Sparked Victory Over Experienced Penn State Squad