Cornell
Bulls Upset Cornell in Thrilling 4-3 Decision
1/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
ITHACA, NY - The Buffalo men's tennis team opened the Spring season in a big way Sunday afternoon, upsetting nationally ranked Cornell 4-3. After winning the critical doubles point, the team was able to split the six singles matches to earn the win. Pablo Alvarez provided the clinching point at second singles. The Big Red were ranked 53rd in the nation in the Jan. 2 Top 75 rankings from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
The Big Red came into the day with 7-0 sweeps in the previous three meetings and a 24-0 record in the all-time series between the two, but Buffalo would strike first with a pair of wins in doubles play. After a quick win for the doubles team of Sebastian Ionescu and Alvarez, Cornell's 40th ranked doubles duo of Vrabel and Fleck would defeat UB. The duo of Sergio Arevallilo and Jonathan Hannestad would clinch the point after gutting out a 6-5 win at second doubles.
As singles play began, the Bulls would get a break after Cornell's Sam Fleck was forced to retired due to injury at first singles. He had taken the first set over David 6-3, but with David up 1-0 in the second set he would be unable to continue after an injury. Now down 2-0, Cornell would rally back with wins at sixth and fifth doubles to even it up at 2-2. Ionescu would put the Bulls on the brink with a straight-set 6-4, 6-2 win over Vrabel at third singles, setting up a dramatic finish. The Big Red edged out a three-set win at fourth singles to put all the pressure on Alvarez.
After a successful Fall season, Alvarez played with toughness in his match against Jason Luu. The Sophomore took the first set 6-2, but would drop the second 3-6. With all eyes on him, and the competition all tied at 3-3, he would find himself in a tiebreaker in the third set. In the deciding tiebreaker, the two athletes were tied up 3-3 before Alvarez would put it away with a 7-3 decision to clinch the deciding set 6-5 and give UB the historic win.
"I am so proud of this group right now. Win or lose we made it a goal to focus solely on how we competed, making sure we keep composure and swing for the fences," head coach Lee Nickell said. "The doubles point ended up being huge, and for Jonathan and Sergio to beat a team that made the finals of regionals is a huge step. Cornell has always been supportive by playing us, and I feel bad their number one player got injured. But from top to bottom we competed like champions and we are happy with the result."
The team now prepares to open the home season, hosting Cleveland State on Saturday, Feb. 1. The dual is scheduled to begin at 1 pm.
Results
Singles
Damien David def. Fleck (3-6, 1-0 retired)
Pablo Alvarez def. Luu (6-2, 3-6, 6-5)
Sebastian Ionescu def. Vrabel (6-4, 6-2)
Nguyen def. Sergio Arevalillo (6-4, 2-6, 6-4)
Sydney def. Akhil Mehta (6-1, 6-5)
Sinclair def. Jonathan Hannestad (6-1, 6-3)
Order of Finish: 1,6,5,3,4,2
Doubles
Vrabel/Fleck def David/Mehta (6-4)
Arevalillo/Hannestad def Nguyen/Luu (6-5)
Ionesco/Alvarez def Sidney/Berman (6-2)
Order of Finish: 3,1,2
