Match Box Score

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Facing a 5-2 deficit in the second set of the match-clinching battle at No. 4 singles, Christopher Newport rookie Dominic Lacombe rallied for a thrilling comeback victory to help the Captains clinch a 5-4 win over the nationally-ranked Chowan University Hawks (2-4). Playing on the Eyre Courts for the first time this spring, the Captains would not let Chowan spoil their home opener, taking down the Division II foe to improve to 4-2 on the season. 

Lacombe's dramatic finish was set up by the Captains winning the final two matches of the day. After taking a 2-1 advantage through doubles, it was the Hawks that won three of the first four singles matchups to take a 4-3 edge in the scoring. Playing simultaneously, senior Arttu Fiva was working for an important win at No. 6 singles, while the rookie Lacombe was battling back at the No. 4 spot. 

Fiva won his first set over Louis Proulx with little issue, 6-1, but encountered a much tougher second set against the Hawks' sophomore. Fiva finished off the win in a second-set breaker, 7-6 (3).

Meanwhile, the teams gathered to watch Lacombe do battle with Chowan's Mariano Yeh in what would prove to be the match-clincher. Lacombe captured the first set 6-4, but fell behind in set number two, 5-2. The CNU freshman rallied to tie the match at six and force a tiebreaker where, with the momentum, he cruised to a 7-2 win. An ace set up match point for Lacombe, who would go on to win on the next point. Final score of the clinching bout was 6-4, 7-6 (2). 

CNU also picked up a win at the top spot, as reigning CAC Player of the Week David Reed continued his strong play of late with a straight set win over Adi Kaliakperov (7-6 (2), 6-1). 

In doubles action, the Captains got out to a 2-1 lead, winning the bouts at No. 1 and No. 3. First, senior Michael Dodd and sophomore Nicholas Ruzicka paired for an 8-3 win on the third line, taking down Rafael Goncalves and Louis Proulx. 
 
At No. 1, both teams employed their regionally-ranked tandems, with CNU's pairing of Justin Cerny and David Reed, ranked 10^th in Division III's Atlantic South, taking on Chowan's Farid Hajizada and Adi Kaliakperov, ranked 8^th in Division II's Atlantic region. The Captains got the better of the regionally-ranked matchup, winning 8-4 to give the Captains a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The Hawks captured the win at No. 2 doubles to cut the lead in half headed to singles play, and would take the lead, 4-3, with three of the first four wins in individual play.

CNU has now won three matches against nationally-ranked opponents in their first six scheduled contests of the season. The Hawks were ranked 50th in NCAA Division II according to the ITA Rankings.

Christopher Newport is off this week until the team travels to California to face four opponents on the team's annual spring break trip to the West Coast. CNU's next foe will be ninth-ranked Pomona-Pitzer on March 4.