CLEVELAND, Ohio – Allegheny sophomore Patrick Cole was named the North Coast Athletic Conference men's tennis Player of the Week Monday afternoon, following a magnificent week in Hilton Head, South Carolina.The Gators played a grueling schedule over spring break, competing in four matches in five days. Cole stood up to the challenge in a huge way, going 4-0 in No. 1 singles play, defeating two top-25 regionally ranked opponents.
Pat made a statement during his first match of the week, dominating No. 22 Chris Kuna of Wisconsin-Eau Claire from start to finish. He easily defeated Kuna 6-1, 6-0 and set his sights on two more top-25 opponents.
Cole was scheduled to take on No. 24 Andrew Hwang of Carleton the next day; however, the Knights decided to give Hwang the day off. Patrick would defeat Paul Cooper 6-3, 6-0 in place of Hwang; however Hwang would not get away scot free. Cole and his number one doubles partner Kevin Kacer did get a shot to face the No. 15 doubles pairing of Hwang and Dan Vollman. While it was be the only win the pair earned all week, it was a big one, defeating the Carleton pair 8-6.
With his third match in three days approaching, Cole would focus his attention on his toughest opponent of the week, No. 10 Brian McCarthy of St. Thomas. McCarthy gave Cole his toughest singles match all week, but was no match as Patrick cruised to yet another victory 6-4, 6-1.
Patrick's 4-0 week improved him to 13-2 this season, with his only two losses coming to No. 5 Will Drougas. Cole and the rest of the Gators will be off until Tuesday, April 3 when they will travel to Westminster College for a showdown with the Titans.
