Spring Break
Men victorious in heated match with Bobcats
Matthew McDonough
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Sports
Tuesday's match against Quinnipiac was not a Big East match-up, but there is just something about an in-state rivalry that gets tempers flaring. The heated rivalry between Quinnipiac and UConn has been rained out the past two seasons, and all the bottled up emotions spilled out onto the UConn tennis courts Tuesday.
In an emotional thriller, Andrew Marcus defeated sophomore Andrew Mikkelson of Quinnipiac in a close final. It was the final game of the match, and made the difference in UConn's 4-3 win over the Bobcats. UConn moves to 5-4 with the victory.
The match had everything. It was emotional with ups-and-downs for Marcus. From throwing his racket and yelling outbursts, to celebrating and cheering on his UConn teammates, Marcus's intensity ultimately carried him to victory. After the win, he received a well-earned congratulatory greeting from all his teammates.
"It's a team sport with an individual aspect, so that type of match is very common," Marcus said. "You just have to pump yourself up as much as you can."
"It's a great win for the team," he continued. "It was real big considering we haven't beat them in a while."
Quinnipiac has historically been an Northeast Conference powerhouse and in a season where the Huskies have had historic victories, this one will certainly help their confidence.
"This was a great hard fought victory," said senior Co-Captain Ben Shueler. "This year we have that winning attitude and culture. Today really showed that."
Coach Glenn Marshall also shared the same thoughts. "It was a solid win against a good New England team," he said. "We've battled them for years, and it was good to get a win against a good team."
Next up for UConn is a trip to Marist this afternoon, followed by another road match at Fairfield. The Huskies won't get a chance to enjoy the great win. With two matches in the next two days, Marshall has already started thinking about his next opponent.
"Marist is one of the more solid teams in the East," he said. "Coming off a good win we'd like to beat them for the first time in school history."
But even with the match tomorrow, UConn should enjoy this big victory against one of their in-state rivals. In the end the memory will be Marcus at center court, and all his teammates on the side watching him help UConn overcome yet another hurdle in their magical season.
Senior Co-Captain Joey Michaels, who played through pain because of a bad blister on his hand, describes Marcus as, "One of the funniest kids on and off the court. He's an absolute goofball."
However, at the end of the day Marcus was not the goofball his teammates know. He was Andrew, the tennis ace; focused and serious throughout the tough match, and it was Marcus who delivered in crunch time.
"With Andrew as the last man on the court," Shueler said, "I had no doubt he would win."
In an emotional thriller, Andrew Marcus defeated sophomore Andrew Mikkelson of Quinnipiac in a close final. It was the final game of the match, and made the difference in UConn's 4-3 win over the Bobcats. UConn moves to 5-4 with the victory.
The match had everything. It was emotional with ups-and-downs for Marcus. From throwing his racket and yelling outbursts, to celebrating and cheering on his UConn teammates, Marcus's intensity ultimately carried him to victory. After the win, he received a well-earned congratulatory greeting from all his teammates.
"It's a team sport with an individual aspect, so that type of match is very common," Marcus said. "You just have to pump yourself up as much as you can."
"It's a great win for the team," he continued. "It was real big considering we haven't beat them in a while."
Quinnipiac has historically been an Northeast Conference powerhouse and in a season where the Huskies have had historic victories, this one will certainly help their confidence.
"This was a great hard fought victory," said senior Co-Captain Ben Shueler. "This year we have that winning attitude and culture. Today really showed that."
Coach Glenn Marshall also shared the same thoughts. "It was a solid win against a good New England team," he said. "We've battled them for years, and it was good to get a win against a good team."
Next up for UConn is a trip to Marist this afternoon, followed by another road match at Fairfield. The Huskies won't get a chance to enjoy the great win. With two matches in the next two days, Marshall has already started thinking about his next opponent.
"Marist is one of the more solid teams in the East," he said. "Coming off a good win we'd like to beat them for the first time in school history."
But even with the match tomorrow, UConn should enjoy this big victory against one of their in-state rivals. In the end the memory will be Marcus at center court, and all his teammates on the side watching him help UConn overcome yet another hurdle in their magical season.
Senior Co-Captain Joey Michaels, who played through pain because of a bad blister on his hand, describes Marcus as, "One of the funniest kids on and off the court. He's an absolute goofball."
However, at the end of the day Marcus was not the goofball his teammates know. He was Andrew, the tennis ace; focused and serious throughout the tough match, and it was Marcus who delivered in crunch time.
"With Andrew as the last man on the court," Shueler said, "I had no doubt he would win."
Be the first to comment on this story