Photo gallery by Shawn JiangST. PETER, Minn. – The Carleton College men’s tennis team defeated St. Olaf College, 5-2, in the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs but proved unable to knock top-seeded Gustavus Adolphus College from its perch, falling in the finals, 5-0. The Knights finished the season 21-4, tying the school record for wins in a season.
Against the Oles, Carleton opened the match by winning two of three at doubles. Peter Dunn (Sr./Winnetka, Ill./North Shore Country Day) and Paul Cooper (Jr./Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale Central) won, 9-8, at first doubles in a battle of regionally-ranked tandems. Seniors Jon Aranda (Sr./Los Angeles, Calif./Loyola) and Dan Vollman (Sr./Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park River Forest) picked up the other team point, 8-2, at the third spot.
Upon moving to singles, Dunn and McCoy Becker (So./Ojai, Calif./Thacher School) notched straight-set triumphs at the first and sixth slots. Dunn posted a 7-5, 7-5 victory, while Becker prevailed 6-4, 6-2. Austin Jiang (Jr./Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port) provided the victory-clinching point with a win at third singles, registering a 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 decision.
Hoping for a repeat of their 2010 MIAC Playoff title over Gustavus, the Knights returned to the courts inside the Swanson Tennis Center a few hours later. The Gusties, ranked No. 26 in the nation, jumped out to the early lead by sweeping doubles. Aranda and Vollman put up the strongest fight before falling 9-8 at the third spot.
Gustavus won the opening set in all six singles contests and picked up its final two team points with straight set wins at third and fifth singles.
