Oberlin 5, Ohio Wesleyan 4

Senior Ryan Leslie (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South) and junior John Rissell (Whitefish Bay, Wis./University School) were double winners for Ohio Wesleyan, but Oberlin edged the Bishops in the seventh-place match of the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament on Sunday in Gambier.

Leslie paired with junior Matt Swaim (Oregon/Clay) for an 8-4 win over Joe Leffler and Sam Towne at No. 3 doubles, then handed Soren Zeliger a 6-2, 6-1 setback at No. 3 singles.

Rissell teamed with sophomore Richie Karban (Elyria) for an 8-1 verdict over Charlie Marks and Zeliger at No. 1 doubles.  Rissell then defeated Ben Turchin, 6-0, 6-2, at No. 4 singles.

With the match deadlocked at 4-4, attention turned to the final matchup, the No. 6 singles confrontation between Swaim and Leffler.  Leffler won the first set in a 7-6 (7-1) marathon, only to see Swaim fight back to take the second set by a relatively comfortable 7-5 count.  The third set was a fitting climax to a weekend of exciting tennis, with Swaim and Leffler again playing to a 6-6 deadlock and another tiebreaker.  Swaim built a 5-3 lead in the tiebreaker, only to see Leffler score the final 4 points to take the tiebreaker, the set, and the match, giving the win to the Yeomen.

Box Score