The Bowdoin College men’s tennis team emerged victorious over defending national champion Case Western, securing a 5-3 win in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Tuesday. This remarkable feat propels the Polar Bears to the national semifinals for the first time since 2018, signifying a significant achievement for the team.
Currently boasting a record of 22-6, Bowdoin College is poised to compete against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the semifinal round on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. (ET)/12:00 p.m. (CT).
The match witnessed a series of notable highlights. Bowdoin College took an early lead thanks to an outstanding performance by Pieter Breuker and Andrew Mendelson, who secured an impressive 8-3 victory at number three doubles in just 38 minutes. The last two doubles matches pushed the teams to tiebreakers, with Bowdoin ultimately achieving a dramatic comeback at number two. Ethan Bradley and Jackson Codd rallied for an 8-7 (7-5) tiebreak victory, providing the Polar Bears with a crucial 2-1 lead heading into the singles matches.
Pieter Breuker continued his stellar performance by clinching a decisive 6-3, 6-3 straight-set win at number three singles, followed by an impressive 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 victory from Tristan Bradley at number one, catapulting Bowdoin into a position of imminent victory.
Despite Case Western managing to claim two straight-set singles victories, narrowing the score to 4-3 with two matches to go, Reid Staples stepped up for Bowdoin, securing a 7-5, 6-3 win at number two to clinch the overall victory for the team.
As Bowdoin prepares for its fourth appearance in the NCAA semifinals, the upcoming encounter with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps is highly anticipated, particularly after the two teams’ previous meeting this year. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps emerged victorious with a 4-3 win in the D1 scoring format on March 16 in California, setting the stage for an exhilarating rematch. The Stags advanced to the semifinals with a 5-3 win over Tufts on Tuesday afternoon.
In the other semifinal match, Middlebury will face off against Chicago on Wednesday afternoon. The winners of Wednesday’s matches will vie for the national title on Friday at 2:00 p.m. (ET), promising an enthralling conclusion to the tournament.
The impressive performance and advancement of the Bowdoin College men’s tennis team to the NCAA semifinals underscore their unwavering dedication and skill, affirming their status as formidable contenders in the tournament. This significant achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work and commitment, and it has undoubtedly earned them a well-deserved place among the top competitors in collegiate tennis.