West Liberty University senior Tim Sylvester
How do you feel the match went?
“I felt like the match went real well. We had lost to them in the regular season so we went in and I really wanted to win this match. We came out strong in the doubles and got down a little bit but kept our cool and ended up winning the match so it was real nice to finish out that way.”
What did you do to prepare for NCAA Regionals?
“Well this is my third time at Regionals. For most of the other guys’ second time at Regionals so we came in pretty well prepared. Playing against Bluefield, we were real excited to meet a rival team in the first round so we got real pumped for it and played tough. That’s what we came out here to do.”
What does it mean to be here at NCAA Regionals for you?
“Being my senior year I’m real excited to be here especially making it past the first round for the first time. I just don’t want the season to end, being a senior you never want the season to end and the way we played towards the end here and the way we’re playing the Regionals now I’d just like to keep it going as long as we possibly can.”
West Liberty University head Coach Sam McCullough
“We knew that Bluefield had a very good team because they had beaten us 5-4 in the regular season. We knew we would have a tough match but said if we stayed focused played hard like we have been for the last 3 weeks good things would happen, and they did happen.”
Kutztown vs. Mercyhurst
Kutztown head coach Suresh Ramamurthi
“It was definitely a nail-biter as I figured it would be. We knew it was going to be a battle and it’s a shame we had to play Mercyhurst in the first round but that’s how the seedings happened. I am really proud and happy that my guys pulled it off and fought hard in spite of the fact we lost two of the doubles matches. I told my guys that they had to believe in themselves because nobody was going to give them the victory; they had to go out on and earn it.”
Kutztown senior Jonathan Goulet
What were your thoughts after the doubles matches left you trailing 2-1?
“We knew it was going to be a hard battle because each match we played against Mercyhurst was close. We knew it would be harder today to pull out the match because we were down 2-1 after the doubles matches. We were a little concerned and worried because we had never been in this position before but we remained confident in our ability.”
What does it mean to be able to advance to the second round?
It means a lot because we can still accomplish the same thing we did last year when we advanced to Florida. That would be a good accomplishment for us and our program to be able to go back and defend our regional title.”
Describe the performance of freshman Cameron O’Donnell
“Cameron was huge at the end. At some point we were wondering if we going to replace him at No. 6 singles, but I stood up and suggested that we keep everything the same. That was huge and he showed that he belonged out there and that he can deliver when its needed.”
Kutztown freshman Cameron O’Donnell
Were you nervous when you realized that your match may be the difference between winning and losing?
“I could tell the match was going to come down to the wire. I started to get a little nervous towards the end when I realized it was me and Arpit left. I was feeling confident that he wasn’t going to break my serve. Once I got up 5-4, I knew I could hold my serve.”
Describe your first experience in the NCAA tournament and what it means to be able to help the team advance.
“A new experience for me. For the team its huge to be able to have another match. I hope we can go to nationals because it would be good. In the big matches, I haven’t been able to contribute, but today I was just I was able to make a difference.”
Were you worried after losing two of the three doubles matches?
“I was a little concerned when we lost two of our three doubles matches because that meant I had to win my singles match. After losing the first set, I kind of felt more comfortable and I just focused on keeping the balls in.”
Mercyhurst coach Ray Yost
“It’s a heartbreaker for us. I've lost matches before but it doesn’t hit you like that because we had this won. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and Kutztown gets going when it’s tough. We had that won. They won the big points. My guys played their hearts out and they played as hard as they could play.”
Mercyhurst senior Ron Heurich
Describe your emotions after dropping a close match to Kutztown for the third time this season
“It’s a tough loss because we put so much work into everything throughout the whole year. Every time we played Kutztown, I feel like it’s 5-4 and the match could’ve gone either way. I feel like we’re so close but every time it seems like we’re on the short end of the stick.
What are some of the great things about the season that you will remember?
“We had a great season. We have a couple of seniors now who are leaving and they will have a new team next year but I think with the addition of Keith at No. 1 really helped us and with Juan playing halfway through the year at No. 6 singles. I play doubles with him and we did a good job. I think we fought hard but unfortunately it didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to turn out but we’re happy with our season.”
