Despite Loss to Bates in Final Match, Cardinals Post Solid Winning Season in 2008-09

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With Michael Piderit '12 (left side of photo) logging the Cardinals' only victory at #5 singles during the team's final match of the season at Bates Sun., April 26, Wesleyan closed the book on a solid campaign as the Cardinals went 12-8 overall and defeated three NESCAC foes - Conn. College, Colby and Hamilton. The 12 wins was one shy of the school record set in 2002 when Wesleyan went 13-7. It also was just the sixth time in the team's 100-year history that double-digit victories was achieved.

Piderit was the team's leader in percentage wins as he posted a 13-4 singles mark, almost exclusively at #5, for a .765 winning percentage. He also teamed with Graham Immerman '09 most of the year for an 11-7 record at #2 doubles.

Playing #1 singles for the second year in a row, Matt O'Connell '09 (right side of photo) had a fine 11-7 record while going 10-9 at #1 doubles, paired with Jaafar Rizvi '09. Over his four years, O'Connell won nearly two-thirds of his singles matches with a 33-17 cumulative record.

Two other seniors, Paul Gerdes '09 and Alejandro Alvarado '09, combined for a 5-2 record at #3 doubles and each had a winning mark in singles, Gerdes going 10-8 mostly at #3 and Alvarado posting a 10-9 record, mainly from the #6 slot. Thus, Wesleyan will graduate five of its top six players.