ATLANTA -- Emory came through with a solid performance from its singles contingent Saturday afternoon, posting a well-deserved victory against fifth-ranked Johns Hopkins. The Eagles raised their overall record to 13-5 following a 7-2 decision against the Blue Jays, who slipped to 7-3.
Emory picked up the first point of the match at No. 1 doubles when juniors Alex Ruderman and Ian Wagner breezed to an 8-2 decision against Michael Buxbaum and Emerson Walsh, raising their record this spring to 7-4. JHU responded by winning the remaining two doubles matches to take a one-point lead in the match.
The Eagles regrouped to win all six singles affairs, starting with Wagner's 6-4, 6-0, triumph versus Jeremy Dubin at No. 4 singles, his 15th victory in 18 outings this spring, which enabled Emory to tie the match. Sophomore Rafe Mosetick followed shortly after with a 7-5, 6-1, outcome against Tanner Brown at third singles, giving the Eagles the lead for good. In a battle between the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked players in the Atlantic South Region, Ruderman put Emory one point from clinching the match after his 6-4, 7-6, win versus Buxbaum at No. 1 singles, upping his spring record to 15-3. Sophomore Will Adams sealed the outcome with an intense 7-6, 6-4, victory against Erik Lim at No. 6 singles, boosting his dual record to 11-5.
Senior Nick Szczurek scrapped to a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory against Nicholas Garcia at No. 5 singles, while junior Eric Halpern closed out the day with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 come-from-behind triumph against Ben Hwang at No. 2.
