University of Georgia Athletics
Dog Notes: Young Dogs Deliver In Opener
January 21, 2017 | Men's Tennis
By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
There was zero drama in Nathan Ponwith's singles match Friday. Well, for a while everyone wondered if the Georgia men's tennis freshman was going to lose even a game.
A collegiate dual-match debuts go, Ponwith's went staggeringly well. But he wasn't alone among the sixth-ranked Bulldogs' youngsters shining in the spring season opener Friday night at Georgia Tech.
With a lineup that featured two freshmen, three sophomores and a junior, the Bulldogs took down the Yellow Jackets 5-2. It was the underclassmen that delivered all the points in Georgia's 30th win in the past 31 matches against Tech.
Playing indoors at Tech's Ken Byers Tennis Complex despite the spring-like weather outside, in front of a capacity crowd of several hundred, Ponwith didn't show much in the way of nerves. Neither did fellow rookie Loeb.
In doubles, Ponwith teamed with sophomore Walker Duncan at No. 2 and comfortably dispatched Tech's Daniel Yun and Michael Kay, 6-2. Georgia clinched the doubles point at No. 1, where Loeb and sophomore Jan Zielinski had to work to beat Tech's Christopher Eubanks and Carlos Benito, 6-4.
Ponwith played Yun at No. 4 singles and won the first nine games of the match, dominating with winners from all over the court. He finally lost a game midway through the second set, rolling to a 6-0, 6-1 win.
College tennis probably isn't always going to be this easy for him, but it was quite a start.
"Probably not, but I played well," Ponwith said. "I was really excited to come out and play. ... There were a little nerves at the beginning of the doubles, I got [my serve] broken the first game, but after that I just snapped into it."
Tech was able to tie the match at 2-2 with singles wins by Benito at No. 3 and Eubanks at No. 1, but Georgia clinched the victory soon after with Loeb's 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 6 over Kay and sophomore Emil Reinberg's 6-4, 6-3 clinching win over Andrew Li at No. 2.
It was a good day for the Bulldogs, as is every day you beat Tech, and it was a good day for the young Dogs, all of whom contributed points in the victory.
"Nathan was on his game and Loeb was so impressive in the doubles and the singles, as well, because he played a veteran player. We're really pleased with everybody's performance," Georgia coach Manuel Diaz said.
Reinberg Still Rolling
No Bulldog had a better fall than Reinberg, who had a team-high 20 wins and lost to teammate Wayne Montgomery in the semifinals of the Southern Intercollegiate Championships while winning the Georgia Tech Fall Invitational and Bulldog Scramble.
Reinberg went 8-6 last fall and got limited opportunities to play last spring, though he played very well when he had the chance. Reinberg went 10-3 in dual matches and 8-0 at No. 6 singles.
Zoom forward to Friday in Atlanta and Reinberg, who only played Nos. 5 and 6 last spring, was starting his sophomore spring at No. 2, where he didn't have too much trouble with Li.
"I think what carried over from the fall was just the confidence from winning a lot of matches, playing a lot of matches and competing really well, especially coming back in some matches," Reinberg said. "I think all of that helps a lot."
Impressive Finish
When Zielinski and Loeb finished off their doubles match at No. 1 to clinch the doubles point they did so in very impressive fashion, at least for Zielinski.
With Loeb serving for the win, it was Zielinski at the net that delivered winners on the final three points. At 15-all, Zielinski put away an overhead; at 30-15, another smash; on match point Zielinski poached on Eubanks' cross-court return from the deuce court and delivered a forehand volley winner.
What's Next?
The Bulldogs will be in action at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex next Friday when they host Purdue during the ITA Kickoff Weekend. Georgia will also play a match Saturday, as will the Georgia women's team.
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
Players Mentioned
