Men's Tennis blanks Heidelberg 9-0 in 2018-19 OAC opener
By Blake Moore
ADA — The Ohio Northern men's tennis team cruised past Heidelberg 9-0 in its 2018-19 Ohio Athletic Conference opener Wednesday afternoon at the University Tennis Courts in Ada.
With the victory, the Polar Bears even their overall record at 6-6 and improve to 1-0 in league action. The Student Princes fall to 0-3 on the season and 0-2 against OAC opposition.
During Wednesday's match, all nine Ohio Northern players recorded at least one win, including two wins each from sophomore Joji Imatomi (Yokohama, Japan/Kamakura Gakuen) and freshmen Noah Elliott (Hilliard/Davidson) and Andrew Cochran (Wooster).
The Polar Bears kicked off the midweek conference matchup sweeping the doubles courts. Elliott and sophomore Vinh Thai (Galloway/St. Charles) claimed an 8-1 decision in the No. 1 slot; Cochran and junior Connor Christian (Gallipolis/Gallia Academy) won 8-2 at No. 2 doubles; and Imatomi and freshman Nate Meadors (Dublin/Jerome) blanked their opponents 8-0 at No. 3 doubles.
In singles action, Elliott and Imatomi led the way with 6-0, 6-0 victories on the No. 1 and No. 5 courts, respectively.
Ohio Northern will return to action next Monday, April 8 when they travel to NAIA foe Concordia (Mich.). Match time is set for 4 p.m.