The men’s tennis team gave the University of Mount Union a reality check on Feb. 29 in Alliance, Ohio, earning a decisive 2–7 victory in the match. The Yeomen entered the contest with a 3–4 record, while Mount Union was riding a three-win hot streak. This hot streak seemed like a distant memory for Mount Union, however, with Oberlin capturing a clear advantage in both the doubles and the singles competition.

In the doubles top spot, Mount Union boasted a duo that bested the strong combination of sophomore Charlie Marks, and first-year Soren Zeliger. While this setback might have been troubling initially, the Yeomen dominated the rest of the doubles competition. In the second spot, the teaming of sophomore Logan Chun and junior Ben Turchin proved victorious, as they held on for a toughly contested 9–7 win. The No. 3 doubles continued the success for Oberlin, with seniors Joe Leffler and Sam Towne notching an impressive 8–1 win.

The singles competition was won in similar fashion. Oberlin bested Mount Union in the top five slots, setting up what would be a dismantling of the competition. However, Mount Union did provide some resistance.

In No. 1 singles, Chun held on for a close victory of 7–6 in the first set, ultimately capturing the second set at 6–1. Marks had more difficulty closing the second spot with a win. The sophomore standout won the first set 6–4, before stumbling into the second with an ending of 4–6, setting up what might have been a tense showdown in the third set with Mount Union.

Nonetheless, Marks came out flying, notching an impressive 6–1 win en route to seizing the second slot for Oberlin. In the third spot, Towne suffered a 4–6 setback in the first set, before going on to capture the second and third with scores of 6–2 and 7–5. The fourth and fifth spots were both captured with dominating wins in the first and second sets by Leffler and Zeliger, respectively.

With the win, Oberlin stands at an even 4–4 record heading into what will be a challenging schedule throughout the rest of the season. The annual preseason North Coast Athletic Conference coaches’ poll had Oberlin finishing seventh in the conference. If the Yeomen continue the strong play of late, they will prove the inaccuracy of this prediction.

The men’s tennis team returns to action at home on March 3 against Hope College at 8 a.m. and then Case Western Reserve University at 4 p.m. as part of the annual NCAC–Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association challenge.