Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19
WINS ANNUAL TILT
SIXTH TIME IN ROW
Takes Odd Doubles Contest
After Each AnnexeS Two
of Four Singles.
BY FRANCIS E. STAN.

mis- team was shy another
Dolf Muehleisen and the
Navy had Comdr. Charles
c. Gill too many yesterday al
the Chevy Chase Club, so the
Navy, for the sixth straight
year. earned all polishing rights
on the famous Abner Y: Leech
Cup, emblematic of the service
championship.
In the most dramatic struggle for the
cup since 1928 the Sailors, facing what
probably was one of the strongest Army
net teams ever assembled for the event.
eked out 4-to-3 victory before several
hundred tennis enthusiasts, who braved
a blazing sun to witness some sparkling
tennis.
It was Pvt. Dolf Muehleisen. flying
cadet from California and No. 81 rank
ing nationally. who kept the Army In
the running. but 1t was the peppery
veteran. Comdr. Charles c. Gill, who
turned the tide for the Navy and en-
abled 1t to rule supreme once again.
Gives Army Good Start.
Muehleisen former intercollegiate Pa
cific Coast champion, drew hrst olooo
for the Army when, exhibiting some OF
the finest underspin drives seen in local
tournament play this year, he defeated
Nays No. l man, Lieut.. Richard M.
Watt, Ga, 6-l.
The Californian, who only a couple
of months ago Joined the service, was
off to a slow start. but with the count
in the first set standing to Tor
Watt he warmed to his task and easily
ran out the two sets.
Army adherents began to vision their
first victory since 1925 when the vet
eran Maj. Robert c. Van Vliet scored
something of an upset and turned back
young Ensign William Howard, jr.. 3-6.
6-l, 6-3. Van Vliet could not match
the young ensign's overhead smashes.
but his general steadiness was too much
for the future admiral
But whatever visions the Ar ny had
of possible swep in singles was brushed
aside abruptly when Lieut.. j. K. NC
Cue and Lieut. G. W. Smith evened the
score at Z-all by wins over Lieuts.
Stanley K Robinson and David D.
Hedekin. respectively. McCues victory
singles and doubles champion. was held
something Of an upset. The scores were
Go, 6-1.
DOuDleS PTOVIue AhIh.
Despite the split in singles, the gen.
eral feeling was that the Army's dou-
bles combines were, II anything. strong
err than those of the seamen and those
who were of this mind were partially
indicated when Muehleis2n, teamed with
Robinson. easily swept through Ensigns
William Howard and Jimmy Farran,
the latter a former Annapolis basket
ball captain. -,
Howard and Farran started like
whirlwinds. taking the first game by
love. but thereafter the whirlwind was
reduced to a zephyr-like state by the
slashing drives OF Muehleisen.
Back came the Navy to even the
score. In a battle which tested sta nina
to the utmost, Lieut.. Comdr. V. H.
Godfrey and Lieut. Richard Watt, jr.,
came from behind to down Majs. j.
Huntington Hills and Leland s. Hobbs.
ST, Ga. 80.
With the score still deadlocked, this
time at 3-a'l, Comdr. Gill, whose hir-
suite decoration indicated the weight
of wears but whose speed and skill in
dictated nothing OF the sort, stepped
into the picture. Teamed with Lieut..
Gerald Smith. Gill led the Navy duo
to 60 victory in the first set. But
their opponents the venerable Mas.
Robert G. Van Vliet and Maj. Thomas
D. Finley we're not through. Iney
promptly ran out AZ lead IN the
second set.
Gill Equal to Occasion.
It was here that Comdr, Gill flashed
some of the best volleying seen here
about this season. He swarmed al over
the court and pounded back kills that
repeatedly brought forth applause from
the tense throng With Smith teamlng
well they turned the tide, winning the
next four games in jig time and again
giving the Navy the cup.
It was one of the hardest fought
Ieech Cup matches in history. 1t was
the third time in eight years that the
final doubles match was required TO de- |
termine the winner.
Abner Y. Leech donor of the nation
ally-known trophy. made the presenta-
ton while the band played Anchors
Aweigh."
There were no anchors dragging on
the Navy netnlen's feet.
Singles.
, Put P Po II N Ms} ir u u af,tstG
1ie clfu,' SAME; 4 s K K Robinson u. 5. AZ
t-ated. Ensign ". e. Howard jr ~. s. Nd
Lieut.. Junior Grade! e; Y sn, Ii,,n ~. 3.
M defeated Lieut.. DaVlo ~ neuekIH w.
s Al, 6-3 Ga
Doubles.
Pvt Dolt Muehleisen snd Lieut. Lie Sta! Stanley
i HOWARD 4. ana Fn'isn j. M F'rFan
Lieut. Gqmqr + S 9odst es..t .9d MAE heu5
E IL i Hills and, MAI, Leland 8. Hobbs
10. S. 40, 81. 6-4. 50. .. ,,..,..
cradel g. W. Smith ~. 8 ~ defeated
D. Finley ~. 8. A., GO, 6-4.