FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Head coach Nate Farlow and four Catholic University men's tennis players traveled south to compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Tournament this weekend.

In the B2 doubles draw, Matt Rudolf and Henry Ogden opened the tournament with an 8-4 victory over a duo from Bridgewater (Va.). The Cardinal and Eagle pairs remained on serve at the beginning of the match before Rudolf and Ogden rattled off five of the last six games to claim the win.

In the semifinal round, the duo ran into tough competition from Gettysburg. After winning the first game at love, the Catholic pair struggled and fell, 2-8.

Diego Romo and James Earwood were selected to compete in the championship doubles draw, competing against Landmark Conference opponents in the first round. The duo fell in their match against opposition from Goucher (2-8). Romo also fell in the first round of the B2 singles draw.

Earwood had more success on the singles courts. The sophomore rolled in his opening round match, utilizing big serves to fly past Simeon Smith of Stevenson, 8-2.

Facing a tougher opponent in the semifinal on Saturday morning, Earwood produced more of the same quality and composure. He was quicker out of the gate than his counterpart from Bridgewater, securing the first set comfortably at 6-1.

In the second set, the two remained on serve until 4-4 when Earwood fired back a monster return to earn the late break before holding to take the set and book his spot in the final.

Earwood's tournament came to an end after a valiant effort in the final. The sophomore was ousted in straight sets but it was all but straightforward for eventual winner Casey Coffey of Hampden-Sydney. Earwood dropped the opening frame in a tiebreak (6-7(2)) before falling in the second frame, 3-6.

Catholic will now prepare for a busy upcoming weekend that will feature two matches. The Cardinals will host Harford Community College on Saturday before traveling to Ashland, Va., on Sunday to do battle with the Yellow Jackets.

Results

Championship Doubles Draw
Asprella/Laguardia Alvarez (GOU) def. Romo/Earwood (CATHU), 8-2

B2 Doubles Draw
Rudolf/Ogden (CATHU) def. Gordon/Cline (BRIDGE), 8-4
Kutlu/Contract (GET) def. Rudolf/Odgen (CATHU), 8-2

B2 Singles Draw
Campbell (MARYW) def. Romo (CATHU), 8-1

B4 Singles Draw
Earwood (CATHU) def. Smith (STEV), 8-2
Earwood (CATHU) def. Leonard (BRIDGE), 6-1, 6-4
Coffey (HAMP) def. Earwood (CATHU), 7-6(2), 6-3