Boston U.
Men's Tennis Finishes Weekend With Pair of Wins
3/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
BOSTON, MA - The Buffalo men's tennis team wrapped up a busy weekend with a 5-1 win over Boston University Sunday morning, finishing a string of three matches in three days with a 2-1 record, beating Bryant on Friday and Boston Sunday, but losing to Ivy League member Brown on Saturday. With the team grinding out the heart of its lengthy road swing, it was all hands on deck for the Bulls over the weekend as it moved to 8-3 overall in the 2014 dual season.
Against Bryant on Friday, the Bulls earned the 5-2 win. Damien David and Akhil Mehta helped clinch the doubles point with a 6-3 at first doubles, and Mehta would add in a straight set 6-1, 6-1 win at sixth singles as well. Pablo Alvarez also swept his match, winning 6-3, 6-2 at third singles. The team would need to grind out wins at number two and number five to clinch the match. Sebastian Ionescu dropped his first set at second singles, but rallied back to win 6-4, 6-3 in the last two sets for the win. Sergio Arevalillo would win his first set before dropping the second before fighting back for the 6-4 win in the third. Jonathan Hannestad almost was able to complete a comeback win at fourth singles, but would lose his third set 7-6 (3).
The team's luck would not be with them the next morning, as Brown was able to gut out close wins to take the doubles point and win three different singles matches in the third set. In the doubles session, David and Mehta won easily at first doubles after an 8-2 Brown win at number three, putting the pressure on the Arevalillo and Hannestad combination. Brown would ultimately take it in a tiebreaker, 8-7 (4). The Bears would also take three-set victories at first, second, and fifth singles to win the overall match 7-0.
After the wear and tear of the first two days, the Bulls relied on its depth to bring the weekend to a close on a high note. Injuries to Ionescu and Alvarez allowed for three teammates to see their first action of the Spring. Jason Shkodnik and Ashwin Sharma filled in at third doubles, Jason Simon would step in at sixth singles, and Shkodnik would be thrown into a big spot of the lineup at number two singles. The senior would respond in a big way, sweeping his match 6-0, 6-3 to ignite the team. Buffalo would also get wins at third, fourth, and fifth singles to leave with the 5-1 win.
"This weekend was a good test for our guys. Unfortunately we are facing some injuries right now, but that allows us to have some of the players outside the lineup step up," head coach Lee Nickell said. "Jason Shkodnik did an amazing job today filling in for Sebastian at #2, and really took advantage of the opportunity. We are ready to continue to improve down in Florida."
The Bulls will head for warmer weather as the non-conference season comes to a close, going to Orlando for two mid-week matches against Central Florida and Southern Mississippi on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. The week will end on Friday with a match against Illinois State in Gulf Springs, Alabama.
#56 Buffalo 5, Bryant 2 (March 7)
Doubles
Damien David/Akhil Mehta def. Ernesto Arguelo/Max Vogt, 6-3
Sergio Arevalillo/Jonathan Hannestad def. John Templeman/Oliver Welsh, 6-2
Zachary Morris/Dana Parziale def. Pablo Alvarez/Sebastian Ionescu, 6-2
Singles
Dana Parziale def. Damien David, 6-2, 7-5
Sebastian Ionescu def. Oliver Welsh, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
Pablo Alvarez def. Zachary Morris, 6-3, 6-2
Ernesto Arguelo def. Jonathan Hannestad, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (3)
Sergio Arevalillo def. Max Vogt, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
Akhil Mehta def. Munir Serin, 6-1, 6-1
Brown 7, #56 Buffalo 0 (March 8)
Doubles
Damien David/Akhil Mehta def. Lucas Da Silveira/Justin To, 8-4
Brandon Burke/ Sam Fife def. Sergio Arevalillo/Jonathan Hannestad, 8-7 (4)
Daniel Hirschberg/Greg Garcia def. Pablo Alvarez/Sebastian Ionescu, 8-2
Singles
Justin To def. Damien David, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
Greg Garcia def. Sebastian Ionescu, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
Brandon Burke def. Pablo Alvarez, 6-3, 6-4
William Spector def. Jonathan Hannestad, 6-1, 6-4
Sam Fife def. Sergio Arevalillo, 6-4, 2-6, (10-8)
Daniel Hirschberg def. Akhil Mehta, 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
Damien David/Akhil Mehta def. Chanon Varapongsittikul/Jesse Frieder, 8-7
Sergio Arevalillo/Jonathan Hannestad def. Stefan Lemire/Mario Sandoval, 8-1
Jay Leelavanich/Jake De Vries def. Ashwin Sharma/Jason Shkodnik, 8-2
Singles
Damien David vs. Chanon Varapongsittikul, Unfinished
Jason Shkodnik def. Stefan Lemire, 6-0, 6-3
Jonathan Hannestad def. Mario Sandoval, 6-3, 6-1
Sergio Arevalillo def. Jay Leelavanich, 6-3, 6-4
Akhil Mehta def. Emilio Teran, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Lucas Bombonatti def. Jason Simon, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
