Sections

They watched as their soccer, cross country, and volleyball counterparts began competition earlier this season. Now, finally, it’s tennis’ time.

The men’s squad traveled to Vermont over the weekend to play in the Middlebury Invitational. At this year’s tournament, the Judges sent five players to final flight play. On the singles side, Steven Milo ’13 defeated opponents from Vassar, Middlebury and Skidmore on route to the ‘C’ flight finals. There, Milo dropped a tough one, 6-2, 6-1 to another Middlebury player, Branter Jones ’14.

In doubles competition, Ezra Bernstein ’11 and Fred Rozenshteyn ’13 bypassed adversaries from Trinity and Middlebury and advanced to the final round of their ‘B’ draw before falling 8-3.

After defeating a duo from Bates, and two from Middlebury, the tandem of Nick White ’11 and Simon Miller ’11 found itself in the ‘A’ doubles flight final. Unfortunately for the Judges, Ithaca College’s Josh Rifkin ’11 and Jimmy Newton ’12 defeated the Brandeis veterans by an 8-6 margin.

Miller also reached semifinals play in singles competition.

The women kicked off their season Wednesday, hosting Wheaton College (2-1). Wins from Rachel Rosman ’11 and Faith Broderick ’13 at first and second singles, respectively, helped Brandeis defeat Wheaton in a 6-3 final. Mackenzie Gallegos ’11, Nina Levine ’12, Sarah Richman ’12, and a pair of rookies making their Brandeis debuts–Alexa Katz ’14, and Roberta Bergstein ’14–also won their singles matches. The pairing of Levine and Katz earned the Judges another point for its 9-8 victory in doubles play.

It will be an active weekend for tennis players of both genders. The men are taking their game to Providence’s Brown Invitational while the women’s team travels to Wellesley for the ITA regionals, set to begin on Friday.