Heading into the weekend, the Big Green was riding a wave of big wins and strong play. Undefeated in the Ivies and boasting an 11-3 overall record, Dartmouth had to face another test, the Tigers of Princeton.
Like Columbia before them, Princeton possessed an arsenal of top players in the Ivy League. But undaunted by the challenge and fueled by their streak, the Green left New Jersey posting another victory. Winning 4-3, the match was close, but in the end, it was all Dartmouth.
"There's no doubt that we have talent on this team," sophomore Gabe Sauerhoff explained, "However, I think the difference between success and failure is the commitment a team has, and the main way of proving that commitment is by working your hardest in practice."
Princeton was able to seize the doubles point early on when both the No. 2 and No. 3 teams lost in 8-4 decisions. The dominant pair of Erich Holzer '99 and Sauerhoff won their match 8-6, but the Tigers were still able to pull away with the point.
Paralleling their progress in their previous three matches, the Big Green found themselves with a one point deficit heading into the singles draw. And, once again, singles was where Dartmouth dominated. Leading the charge, Sauerhoff, at the top spot, handed Jon Gilula a loss and took the match in three, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.
Tied up at 1-1, the Green never looked back.
Co-captain Matt Fuller '97 won at No. 2, with a three-set victory in which he rallied back from a first set loss. Sophomore Rob Simik put up a tremendous fight, but eventually succumbed 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
The other Princeton point came at five where Andy Evans '00 fell 7-5, 7-5. But for Princeton, that would be the last point as both Erich Holzer and co-Captain Avery Rueb '98 won, slamming the door on the Tigers. Holzer won in three, while Rueb was the only one to post a two-set victory as he rolled through his opponent, 7-6, 6-2.
On Saturday, Dartmouth faced off against Navy in what was a closer-than-expected matchup, with the Green winning 4-3. Once again Dartmouth dropped the doubles point, for the fourth straight match, and then lost at the one and two positions.
Down three points, the Green was in a worrisome position. But the ever consistent bottom half of the ladder all won their matches and gave Dartmouth the narrow victory.
Next weekend, the Big Green (13-3) returns home to go up against Yale and Brown in two very important matches.
"I think that if we can keep preparing well in practice and keep up the good intensity we should probably be able to beat Yale," Fuller said. "Our record so far is better and we're playing very well. I think that if we can keep trying to improve everyday, it will be difficult for any team to beat us."
