Marist
Bulls Best Marist on the Road
2/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - The Buffalo men's tennis team again pulled out the 4-3 win Saturday afternoon, this time coming on the road at Marist (1-2). The Bulls are now 5-1, with all five wins coming in 4-3 decisions. The five wins in the first six matches is the best start to the duals season since 2000-01, when the team started 10-0.
This is the third straight win by a 4-3 decision, marking the first time under the current dual format that the Bulls have been able to secure three straight wins in such dramatic fashion. Way back in 1978-79, the team won three straight matches 5-4 under head coach Thomas LaPenna.
The Bulls swept the opening doubles round, highlighted by a win at number one doubles from Damien David and Akhil Mehta. The duo was able to grind out the 8-7 win after clinching the tiebreaker. Jonathan Hannestad and Sergio Arevalillio earned the quick win 8-3, and Sebastian Ionescu and Pablo Alvarez clinched it with an 8-6 win.
In singles play, Ionescu made quick work of his opponent at first singles, sweeping him 6-2, 6-4. The two teams would split the next two decisions, with UB winning at third singles thanks to a straight set win from David, but Marist would get on the board with a win at fifth singles. After a win at fourth singles, the Red Foxes would make it 3-2.
Unlike the previous two matches, though, it would not come down to a winner-take-all match. Freshman Jonathan Hannestad took home a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 win at sixth singles to clinch the match before Marist would take number two singles.
The team will now have an important weekend coming up as it settles into its five week road trip. Buffalo will head east to face NJIT and Princeton next Friday and Saturday, respectively. The teams dual against the Highlanders will begin at 4 pm.
Doubles
David/Mehta def. Rossi/Reznek, 8-7(6)
Hannestad/Arevalillo def. Bjerke/Klassen, 8-3
Ionescu/Alvarez def. Giudici/Fletcher, 8-6
Singles:
Sebastian Ionescu def. Rossi, 6-2, 6-4
Klassen def. Pablo Alvarez, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
Damien David def. Reznek, 6-4, 6-3
Dube def. Sergio Arevillo, 6-4, 6-4
Bjerke def. Akhil Mehta 7-6 (4), 6-1
Jonathan Hannestad def. Giudici, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
