Storm fall short to Cornell in opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson men's tennis team opened its season on Thursday with a home match against Cornell, but the Rams came out on top with a 6-3 advantage.

The sophomore duo of Ethan Humble and Chase Henry battled to an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles to help fill the gap for the Storm (0-1) after the Rams (2-0) won the other two doubles contests.

Henry carried the momentum into individual play by winning his showdown at No. 6 singles. The Mount Ayr, Iowa native won the first set easily, 6-0, and held on to clinch the match with a 6-2 triumph in the second set.

Junior Peter Walkwitz claimed the other victory for Simpson in nearly the same fashion as Henry, but won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5 singles.

Humble battled at No. 4 singles and looked to push the match to a third set, but fell 6-2, 6-4. Sophomore Caleb Vasconez played tough in his No. 3 singles bout to start his second year with the program, but Cornell's Alexander Strumlauf fought him off, 6-4, 6-2.

Up Next
The Storm waste no time in getting back into action with the American Rivers Conference Individual Tournament on Saturday. Competition will take place at three host sites in the Des Moines metro area, Norwalk High School, Waukee High School and Valley Southwoods. Brackets and additional information can be found HERE.

Cornell 6, Simpson 3
Singles competition
1. Shoma Kishimoto (CCM) def. Reade Reiter, 6-0, 6-2
2. Federico Polidori (CCM) def. Aaron Price, 6-2, 6-2
3. Alexander Strumlauf (CCM) def. Caleb Vasconez, 6-4, 6-2
4. Chris Penas-Hull (CCM) def. Ethan Humble, 6-2, 6-4
5. Peter Walkwitz (SIM) def. Michael Coester, 6-0, 6-1
6. Chase Henry (SIM) def. Bryce Fincher, 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Shoma Kishimoto/Alexander Strumlauf (CCM) def. Reade Reiter/Peter Walkwitz, 8-2
2. Federico Polidori/Chris Penas-Hull (CCM) def. Aaron Price/Caleb Vasconez, 8-3
3. Ethan Humble/Chase Henry (SIM) def. Michael Coester/Bryce Fincher, 8-4