March 28, 2004
MUNCIE, Ind. – The 37th-ranked University of Notre Dame men’s tennis team improved to 12-7 on the season with a 4-3 win over Ball State on Sunday afternoon. After dropping the doubles point, the Irish dominated the bottom of the singles lineup, claiming victories at the bottom four positions to emerge with the win. Notre Dame will return to action in a week travelling to Virginia Tech to take on the 54th-ranked Hokies on Sunday April 4 at noon (EST).
The Cardinals took the initial point, but the Irish came back to win four of six in the singles portion to decide the match. Freshman Stephen Bass (Bronxville, N.Y./Iona Preparatory School). led the way for Notre Dame, defeating Patrick Thompson in straight sets at No. 3, 6-1, 6-1. Bass has won ten of his last twelve and is 20-6 overall and 14-4 in dual matches.
Freshman Barry King (Dublin, Ireland/Gonzaga College) followed suit at the No. 4 position, topping Michael Heule 6-2, 6-4.
At No. 6 singles, sophomore Eric Langenkamp (Scarsdale, N.Y./Scarsdale H.S.) also had a straight-set win, upending Brad Rhodes 6-0, 7-6 (7-5). Langenkamp boasts an 18-5 overall record and is 9-3 in dual-match play.
Freshman Ryan Keckley (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph’s H.S.) sealed the win for the Irish, edging out Paul Newman in a three-set decision 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Notre Dame struggled at the top two singles positions. At No. 1, senior tri-captain Luis Haddock (Caguas, P.R./Notre Dame H.S.) fell in three sets to Matt Baccarani 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Junior tri-captain Brent D’Amico (Castle Rock, Colo./St. Stephen’s Episcopal School [TX]), playing up one spot, took Matt Laramore to a tiebreaker in the first set but could not hold on losing 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.
In doubles, the lone Irish win came at the No. 2 postion as Haddock and senior tri-captain Matthew Scott (Oakton, Va./International School of Paris) beat Laramore and Rhodes 8-6. Haddock and Scott have won eight of their last ten matches. The pair improves to 11-2 on the season, 8-2 in dual-match play.
Today’s match marked the 35th meeting between Notre Dame and Ball State. The Irish lead the series 30-5.
#37 Notre Dame 4, Ball State 3
Singles
No. 1: Matt Baccarani (BSU) d. #80 Luis Haddock (ND) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
No. 2: Matt Laramore (BSU) d. Brent D’Amico (ND) 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
No. 3: Stephen Bass (ND) d. Patrick Thompson (BSU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 4: Barry King (ND) d. Michael Heule (BSU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 5: Ryan Keckley (ND) d. Paul Newman (BSU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
No. 6: Eric Langenkamp (ND) d. Brad Rhodes (BSU) 6-0, 7-6 (7-5)
Doubles
No. 1: Baccarani/Thompson (BSU) d. D’Amico/Keckley (ND) 9-7
No. 2: Haddock/Scott (ND) d. Laramore/Rhodes (BSU) 8-6
No. 3: Newman/Klint Knable (BSU) d. S. Bass/Eric Langenkamp (ND) 8-3
— ND —