EAST STROUDSBURG - East Stroudsburg University opened its 2008 spring season at Wolbers Courts with an 8-1 victory over Caldwell College on Monday afternoon.
Senior Jeff Kurz and freshman Jared Howat posted an 8-0 win at first doubles and won at the top two singles spots for the Warriors. Kurz split the first two sets with Alex Ali before winning 10-4 in the tiebreaker, and Howat put away Amirpasha Zandieh 6-1, 6-0.
Juniors Julian Taibi and Rob Mikolon won 8-2 at second doubles, and freshmen Ryan Baxter and Will Norris improved to 8-2 as a doubles team this spring with an 8-1 win at the third spot.
Taibi, Mikolon and freshman Zach Ontell all won their singles matches for the Warriors.
ESU returns to action on Saturday with a 1 p.m. match with West Chester at Stroudsburg High School.
ESU 8, Caldwell 1
Doubles
1. Jeff Kurz and Jared Howat (ESU) d. Alex Ali and Josh Getka, 8-0
2. Julian Taibi and Rob Mikolon (ESU) d. Amirpasha Zandieh and Jan Marco Jiras, 8-2
3. Ryan Baxter and Will Norris (ESU) d. Mike Ober and Andy Loughnane, 8-1
Singles
1. Kurz (ESU) d. Ali, 3-6, 6-4 (10-4)
2. Howat (ESU) d. Zandieh, 6-1, 6-0
3. Jiras (Caldwell) d. Norris, 7-5, 4-6 (6-10)
4. Taibi (ESU) d. Thane McKenzie, 6-0, 6-0
5. Mikolon (ESU) d. Ober, 8-2
6. Zach Ontell (ESU) d. Getka, 8-0