JMU Takes Home Four Championships at Elon Invitational

Friday, September 21

Elon, NC

James Madison University

Elon Invitational

9/23/2018 3:58:00 PM | Men's Tennis

ELON, N.C. -- On the final day of the Elon Invitational, James Madison men's tennis won two singles and two doubles championships to wrap up its first tournament of the fall season.

Freshman William Karpinski and junior Josh Raymundo both completed stellar tournament runs, winning the Phoenix draw and and Powell draw, respectively.

"Every aspect of my game was clicking and I think I did a really good job managing the highs and lows of a championship match," said Karpinski. "Winning my first college tournament is really surreal, but it shows our hard work during practice is paying off."

Karpinski stormed through the Phoenix draw, never losing a set in his first four collegiate singles matches. He eased through his final 6-4, 6-2 against UNC Greensboro's Ian Melnik. Raymundo went 3-0 in the tournament, defeating Campbell Stone of Appalachian State 6-4, 6-4 in the final, capturing his championship just minutes after Karpinski.

Championships didn't stop coming to the Dukes after singles play as sophomore Alvaro Arce and senior Pierre Kohler emerged victorious in the Maroon draw after winning 8-5 in the final.

"Alvaro and I have been playing doubles together since last year and we communicate and coordinate very well," said Kohler. "We served well and were active at the net. Our returns were especially efficient during this tournament and we succeeded in breaking our opponents often. It was a perfect doubles weekend for us. "

Juniors Paul Mendoza and Tate Steinour also proceeded to win the second doubles championship of the day, taking down Benjamin Wayand and Henry Liberman of UNC Charlotte, 8-1.

"A huge emphasis of our game plan was making a high percentage of first serves and returns," said Mendoza. "As long as we got ourselves in the point, we were confident in our ability to finish it. It was our coordination and knowledge of each other's doubles play that gave the Dukes another title today."

This was the second time Mendoza and Steinour had made the championship of the Elon Invitational, dating back to 2016 when the final was cancelled due to rain.

RESULTS
Singles
Phoenix Draw
F: William Karpinski def. Ian Melnik (UNCG) 6-4, 6-2

Powell Draw
F: Josh Raymundo def. Campbell Stone (App) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles
Maroon Draw
F: Arce/Kohler def. Foote/Frankel (Elon) 8-5

Gold Draw
F: Mendoza/Steinour def. Wayand/Liberman (UNCC) 8-1

Phoenix Draw
F: Menezes/Puig (UNCG) def. Adis/Karpinski 8-5

Powell Draw
F: Griffith/Bass (UNCC) def. Roberts/Raymundo 8-5

QUOTING ASSISTANT COACH JASON SINKOFF
"This tournament was filled with a lot of great teams and teams that we have dual matches with in the spring. To win two doubles draws and two singles draws was awesome to see. The doubles teams had total control over the net and hit great returns to get some crucial breaks. Karpinski and Josh in singles played great all week. We look forward to practice this week to continue to work on transition shots and raising our fitness levels."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will travel to Richmond to compete in the University of Richmond Invite on Oct. 5.