The Brandeis University men's tennis team was back in action this week following a week-long trip to California that included a win over Alliant University and a shutout loss at the hands of Pomona-Pitzer College in Claremont, Cali. On Saturday, the Judges dropped a home match against Bates College of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) by a 5-1 margin.Head Coach Rocky Jarvis' lineup featured Tomas Wallenberg '05 at first singles, Dave Block '03 in the number two hole, Jehuda Hausman (GR) at third, Allan Berk '04 at fourth singles, Chris Hersel '06 at fifth, and Hart Comess-Daniels in the number six slot.

Due to darkness, the doubles matches did not take place.

Berk, a junior, provided the Judges with their lone singles victory on the afternoon, as he defeated Bates' Dave Meyer 7-6 (3), 7-5.

While Comess-Daniels fought valiantly against Bates' Tristan Beach (he ultimately lost 7-5, 6-3), the most lopsided result of the match came at fifth singles, where Blake Wayman topped Brandeis' Hersel with ease, 6-1, 6-1.

Today, the Judges travel to Medford to take on local rival Tufts University. Head Coach Jim Watson's Jumbos are a perennial NESCAC power. Tufts is led by David Ruttenberg, a senior, and the team's celebrated number one singles player.

Against another NESCAC school, Colby College (on March 15), the Judges were impressive in a 6-1 romp.

Wallenberg set the tone at first singles with a gut-wrenching 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Colby's Marc Assin.

Hausman, Hersel, Berk and Rob Friedman '06 also recorded singles victories. On the doubles side, Block and Hersel (a senior and freshman) teamed up to defeat Colby's Kevin Yardi and Steen Schnert 8-5. Friedman and Hausman then joined forces to top Colby's Richard Cook and John McManigal.

Against Pomona-Pitzer on March 8, Block competed at first singles and was defeated handily by David Frankel. Brandeis dropped all three doubles matches, as Block and Hersel were pounded 8-1 by Frankel and Pitzer number two J.R. Hall.