Michael Hulseman was a multiple winner against Ohio Northern as JCU rolled to an impressive win in its league opener
Box Score
John Carroll won all three doubles matches, using that sweep to fuel a 7-2 victory over defending Ohio Athletic Conference champion Ohio Northern Monday in the league opener for both teams Monday at the Oakwood Country Club in South Euclid, Ohio.
The Blue Streaks handed Ohio Nothern its worst loss in conference play since a 6-1 setback to Capital on April 24, 2001. It was also just the eighth time the Polar Bears had dropped a match in conference action since 2000.
JCU started off on the right foot this afternoon by jumping out to a 3-0 lead after doubles play was completed. the pivotal match was played at the #1 spot, where
Chad Ruehs (Poland, OH, Poland Seminary) and
Matt Tomayko (Solon, OH, Solon) rallied from 6-5 down to win 9-7. The duos of Ja
Justin Southward (Toledo, OH, St. John's Jesuit) and
Michael Finissi (Columbus,OH, Bishop Watterson) at #2 (8-2) and
Michael Hulseman (Winnetka, IL, Loyola Academy) and
Ross Venzke (Holland, OH, Toledo St. John's) at #3 (8-5) also posted victories.
Needing just two singles wins to close out the match, John Carroll would go on to win four. Steward won in straight sets at #1 singles, as did Tomayko at #3 singles. Both Venzke and Hulseman rallied from a set down to win in tiebreakers -- Venzke got past Jay Vaidya, 10-8, at #5 singles, while Hulseman defeated Kyle Barnaba, 11-9, at #6 singles.
John Carroll is now 4-5 overall and 1-0 in league play. Ohio Northern, which has won the last three OAC regular season titles and the last two league tournament crowns, fell to 2-4 and 0-1 in the conference.
