The Stanford men’s tennis team enjoyed a holiday in Hawaii highlighted by an impressive non-conference victory over the University of Hawaii last Tuesday. The Cardinal traveled over 2,000 miles to Hawaii on Nov. 17 and played the Warriors last Tuesday in Maui at the Wailea Tennis Club. The team won 6-1 and ended its fall season on a positive note.

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Junior Blake Muller shut out his opponent at No. 4 singles in Stanford’s win at Hawaii during the Thanksgiving break. Muller also played doubles with freshman Ted Kelly, but the duo lost for only the second time this season. #gallery http://daily.stanford.org/image/full/8237
Stanford Daily File Photo

Junior Blake Muller shut out his opponent at No. 4 singles in Stanford’s win at Hawaii during the Thanksgiving break. Muller also played doubles with freshman Ted Kelly, but the duo lost for only the second time this season.

“I thought the match went well,” assistant coach Brandon Coupe said, who traveled with the team in the place of absent head coach John Whitlinger. “It was a tough day with conditions not ideal for great tennis. It was windy and the courts were not laid out like traditional college courts [where the courts are situated right next to each other].

“Days like that are more of a mental battle and I thought we did well mentally in the match and the guys fought hard. It was a good start to the season.”

Hawaii had only five players eligible to play, which meant they forfeited No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles. Stanford only had to win one doubles match to secure the doubles point, and junior Matt Bruch and freshman Alex Clayton did just that. The duo defeated Sasha Heinemann and Andreas Weber, 8-5. Junior Blake Muller and freshman Ted Kelly, who had only been defeated once this fall in doubles, dropped a tough decision to Spence Mendoza and Jeff Fitch, 9-8.

In singles action, Clayton, Muller, Kelly and sophomore Richard Wire all won their matches in straight sets. Bruch dropped his match at the No. 1 singles spot to Weber in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6.

At No. 4 singles, Muller was more fortunate, blanking Mendoza 6-0, 6-0.

“I got out to a good start and I didn’t want to let him back in the match,” Muller said.

In addition to playing Hawaii, the team taught clinics all week at Maui’s Wailea Tennis Club. Coupe pointed out that in addition to helping others with their game, teaching helps the players realize aspects of their game that they can work on and improve.

Overall, the team enjoyed its week in tropical paradise.

“The trip was a really good time,” Muller said. “We got to hit with alumni and had a lot of free time. It was also fun to bond together before the season starts.”

Stanford also got some good news over the break in terms of recruiting. Ryan Thacher, the top-ranked recruit in the nation, and Bradley Klahn, the fifth-ranked recruit, both signed with Stanford and will join the squad next year.

“We’re very excited to have [the guys] join our program,” head coach John Whitlinger told GoStanford.com. “They will both have an immediate impact on our team [next year].”

The team has now concluded its fall season and will be off for over a month. The Cardinal’s quest to return to the NCAA Championships begins in January with the Sherwood Cup.