Williams Wins Second NCAA Title in Three Years

Courtesy Williams Sports Information

GREENCASTLE, Ind. - Dave Johnson's Ephs exploded to win four singles matches in straight sets to claim Williams' second NCAA title in three years and avenge an earlier season loss to UC Santa Cruz (4-3) in California. "Our kids are just tough in singles play," said Johnson. "We knew Santa Cruz plays good doubles, but we also knew how tough we are in singles."

Williams lost the 1998 NCAA title match 4-2 to UC Santa Cruz at home so this win over a program that has won four titles and played in 10 championship matches was particularly rewarding for the Ephs. "The chance to do this doesn't come around often, said Eph head coach Dave Johnson. "I'm pretty overwhelmed right now."

UC Santa Cruz opened the 2001 Men's Tennis NCAA Div. III championship match against Williams by winning the doubles point handily. The Banana Slugs won at number one 8-2 and number three 8-3 to take a 1-0 lead into singles play. That doubles point would be the only point UC Santa Cruz would get in the match.

A win by Daniel Murray at six singles over Carlos Gonzalez tied the match and the Ephs took the lead for good when junior Josh Lefkowitz beat Derek Fitzpatrick at number one. The Ephs got the third point with a win at number three singles by Andrew Murray over Danny Kim. The fourth and decisive point was recorded by First Year Toby Reigeluth who downed Peter Gladkin. Reigeluth was up a set, but trailing in the second set 4-1 before he ran off four straight games to take a 5-4 lead. Both Reigeluth and Gladkin held serve over the next three games before Reigeluth prevailed in the tie-breaker.

The win extended the Eph win streak to 12 in a row and gives them a final record of 14-5.

Johnson now has a record of 161-34 (.826) in 14 years at Williams and has won the 1999 and 2001 NCAA men's tennis titles.