Binghamton
Pablo Alvarez Earns 100th Victory, UB Defeats Binghamton, 4-3
3/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY - The men's tennis team returned to action after three weeks since their last match on February 26 against Youngstown State in a rematch of the 2015 MAC Championships Finals match between UB and Binghamton. After taking the doubles point, the momentum slowly shifted to Binghamton's favor as the singles matches progressed. In the end, UB remained perfect at home this season with a 4-3 win over their state and MAC rivals with a victory in a three-set thriller at sixth singles.
Local product Tony Miller battled hard in the second set, 6-2, after dropping a close first set, 7-6, to force a third set. Miller took full advantage in the third set by pulling away from his opponent early on and winning the deciding set, 6-0. Overall, the East, Amherst native won the crucial fourth team point for the Bulls in a 6-7, 6-2, 6-0, affair.
The Bulls started off the match in dominating fashion and earned the critical doubles point in quick succession. Amar Hromic and Pablo Alvarez defeated Binghamton's first doubles duo 6-2. The win gave Alvarez his 100th combined victory as a Bull and he is now the 11th men's tennis player to accomplish the feat. With his 6-4, 6-3 victory in second singles, Alvarez now has 42 career doubles wins and 59 career singles wins.
Sergio Arevalillo and Ethan Nittolo earned a 6-1 result at third doubles to clinch the doubles point for the hosts.
"The match started out well with some of the best doubles we have played all season, head coach Lee Nickell said after Friday's 4-3 conference win. "We have had trouble keeping that level going into singles throughout the season, and today was no different. I am certainly proud of our effort and fight, and was very happy for Tony (Miller) to step up and clinch the match when we were tied 3-3. We are ready to get back on court and fix some things to be ready for Western Michigan on Sunday."
Singles play was much more competitive across the board than doubles play. Arevalillo continued his success from doubles action with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in third singles. Hromic battled hard in first singles, but couldn't find a consistent rhythm as he fell 6-0, 6-2. Akhil Mehta battled back and forth with his opponent at fourth singles all afternoon. In the end he fell in the close match, 7-6, 7-5.
Buffalo improves to 8-4 overall and 1-0 in MAC play. They are back in action on Sunday, March 20 when they host the Broncos of Western Michigan at 11:00am. Western Michigan is currently ranked 67th nationally. Sunday's match will also take place at the Miller Tennis Center, which is located at 5959 Sheridan Dr, Williamsville, NY 14221.
Doubles:
1. Amar Hromic/Pablo Alvarez (UB) def. Hureau/Cestarollo (BU), 6-2
2. Akhil Mehta/Tony Miller (UB) vs. Kote/Caputo (BU), DNF
3. Sergio Arevalillo/Ethan Nittolo (UB) vs. Hazarika/Bouchet (BU), 6-1
Order of finish: 3, 1
Singles
1. Hureau (BU) def. Amar Hromic (UB), 6-0, 6-2
2. Pablo Alvarez (UB) def. Hazarika (BU), 6-4, 6-3
3. Sergio Arevalillo (UB) def. Caputo (BU), 6-3, 6-1
4. Cestarollo (BU) def. Akhil Mehta (UB), 7-6, 7-5
5. Bouchet (BU) def. Ethan Nittolo (UB), 6-2, 6-2
6. Tony Miller (UB) def. Kote (BU), 6-7, 6-2, 6-0
Order of finish: 1,2,3,5,4,6
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