The TCNJ men’s tennis team secured a 5-2 win over No. 30 Haverford on Apr. 1, marking their first victory against a nationally ranked opponent this season.
This result is significant for the Lions, who had previously lost to nationally ranked teams and were edged by Haverford last year. The match took place at the Tennis Complex in Ewing, New Jersey.
Harrison Maitland-Carter, Faris Shehata, Aidan Twamley, and Brett Schuster each won three-set singles matches to help TCNJ clinch the win. Both Shehata and Schuster’s victories came down to tiebreakers. In doubles play, Nathan Chan and Alberto Thomas won at number two court with a score of 6-3. Maitland-Carter teamed up with Asa Wong for a decisive 6-4 victory at number one doubles against Marko Arboleda and Roberto Vazquez.
After Haverford claimed wins in the top singles spots to take an early lead, TCNJ responded by winning all four remaining singles matches that went to three sets. Maitland-Carter leveled the overall score with his win over Arboleda before Schuster edged Lucio Kombo in a third-set tiebreaker at number six singles. Twamley then secured the clinching point with his own three-set victory over Caden Hsia at number five singles. With the outcome decided, Shehata completed his comeback by defeating Teo Bortan in another third-set tiebreaker.
Several players reached personal milestones during this match: Maitland-Carter tied Phil Stevinson for third on TCNJ’s all-time list with his 68th career doubles win; Thomas became just the thirteenth player in program history to reach sixty doubles victories; Wong recorded his fiftieth career overall win; and Schuster now has ninety career wins.
Looking ahead, TCNJ will travel to Wilkes for their next match on Friday.
