Rams dominate during wins over West Virginia State University

The Winston-Salem State men's tennis team snapped a four-game skid in defeating Division-II opponent, West Virginia State University 7-0 April 3. The Rams showcased the perfect effort with competitive performances in both singles and doubles action. 

Junior Brian Coxton ignited the Rams with near flawless 6-0, 6-1 wins over Nick Anderson. 

"He [Anderson] was more of  a defensive player," said Charles Schoderbek, Rams head coach. 

"He was a pretty good defender, but didn't have much offense. "Brian overpowered him [Anderson] a little bit." 

Junior Ian Hunter faced a tougher challenge against WVSU's Andrew Barr, eventually defeating him 6-3, 6-4. Junior Maximilian Glodde had a similar match as Hunter's, when facing James Walling. Glodde prevailed with a 6-4, 6-3 win. 

Senior Troy Moore distanced himself from the competition with his 6-1, 6-2 victory over Derek Thaxton. Sophomore Joab Odera's first match resulted in a 7-6 tie-breaker win, and his second match resulted in a more comfortable 6-1 triumph. 

The Rams final match in singles play netted a 6-1, 6-2 win for senior Antentor Hinton over Jason Thaxton. 

The Rams continued with the authority displayed in singles matches by also sweeping the Yellow Jackets in all sets of doubles actions. 

Coxton and Hunter teamed up with an 8-1 defeat over Anderson and Barr. 

"We [Coxton and Hunter] really worked together throughout that match," Coxton said. 

"We kept serving pretty easily. It was great rallying by my partner, Ian Hunter. That might have been the best we played all year."

Senior Troy Moore and freshman Mason King lost a close 9-8 match to Brian Wooten and James Walling. However, Hinton and Odera responded, closing out doubles action with an  8-1 win over Jason Thaxton and Derek Thaxton. 

The Rams improved to their second win of the season, dropping the Yellow Jackets to a 4-4 record.