Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROME, Ga. - The Berry Men's tennis team split in today's matches, falling to Emory and defeating Covenant in a scrimmage.

Match One vs Emory (1-6):
The Berry men's tennis team faced a unique hurdle today at the downtown Rome Tennis Center as they faced Emory College followed by Covenant College in a double header. The key was learning to manage their strength and maintaining a high quality of play throughout the day.

Second doubles started strong as Jake Chapman / Aiden Benoualid secured an early break of serve, capitalizing on a windy day and winning 6-4. First doubles duo of Noah Koch / Leo Nedkov also began with a strong start but their opponents picked up the pace causing Berry to lose 2-6. The relatively new pairing of Bohdan Higley / Jace Goode showed exemplary points but struggled to maintain consistency, ultimately falling 1-6.

The men began their singles matches with the same intensity and focus as they had in the doubles matches, but Emory slowly pulled away, beginning with Leo Nedkov at fourth singles who lost 1-6, 2-6. Bohdan Higley at sixth singles capitalized on the wind with his serve and volley strategy, but struggled on the return games in a 3-6, 2-6 loss. Jace Goode at third singles remained toe to toe against his opponent, chasing every ball down in a 3-6, 0-6 loss. Jake Chapman played one of his best matches to date at second singles, moving well and having some of the longest points of any match today, losing in a close 2-6, 4-6 match. Captain Noah Koch at first singles was the only Berry player to sieze control of the first set, but his opponent managed to find his rhythm and beat Noah in a third set 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Aiden Benoualid at sixth singles found another gear later in his match, fighting back from a deficit to deliver Berry's only singles win 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8).


1. Leo Nedkov and Noah Koch fell to Emory 2-6
2. Jake Chapman and Aiden Benoualid defeated Emory 6-4
3. Bohdan Higley and Jace Goode fell to Emory 1-6


1. Noch Koch fell to Emory 6-3, 3-6, 4-6
2. Jake Chapman fell to Emory 2-6, 4-6
3. Jace Goode fell to Emory 2-6, 0-6
4. Leo Nedkov fell to Emory 1-6, 2-6
5. Aiden Beoualid defeated Emory 2-6, 6-3 [10-8]
6. Bohdan Higley fell to Emory 3-6, 2-6


Match Two vs Covenant (4-3):
After playing Emory in the morning, the Berry men continued their march this afternoon at the downtown Rome Tennis Center against Covenant College.

Doubles opened with an impressive performance as Aiden Benoualid / Jake Chapman at second doubles continued their undefeated trend from this morning, winning 6-4. Jace Goode / Bohdan Higley at third doubles improved on their earlier performance but just barely fell short 4-6. However, in a hard fought comeback, first doubles team Noah Koch / Leo Nedkov clawed back a 0-3 deficit to win 6-4 and give Berry the doubles point.

Singles was evenly matched across the board, but Jake Chapman at second singles was unable to convert on a few key points contributing to a close 4-6, 2-6 loss. Jace Goode at third singles mounted a strong comeback but cramped in the third set, leading to his retirement 4-6, 6-1, 2-4. Leo Nedkov at fourth singles was the first to pull through for Berry with a 7-6, 6-2 win. With the two teams tied 2 all in matches, it would come down to who would win 2 out of the 3 remaining matches. Aiden Benoualid at fifth capped an outstanding day winning 6-2, 7-6 and securing two doubles and two singles wins for the day. The remaining two matches battled late into the night, with Bohdan Higley at sixth singles losing a close match 7-6, 4-6, 4-6. However, Noah Koch at first singles fought back, saving several match points to win 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 to clinch the meet 4-3 for Berry.

After a long day and terrific performances, the men are looking forward to their next matches during spring break at Hilton Head where they will face opponents ranging from Division III to Division I.


1. Leo Nedkov and Noah Koch defeated Covenant 6-4
2. Jake Chapman and Aiden Benoualid defeated Covenant 7-5
3. Bohdan Higley and Jace Goode fell to Covenant 4-6


1. Noch Koch defeated Covenant 6-3, 6-7 (2), 7-5
2. Jake Chapman fell to Covenant 4-6, 2-6
3. Jace Goode fell to Covenant 4-6, 6-1
4. Leo Nedkov defeated Covenant 7-6(5), 6-2
5. Aiden Beoualid defeated Covenant 6-2, 7-6
6. Bohdan Higley fell to Covenant 7-6(3), 4-6, 4-6