For the first tournament of the season the men’s tennis team traveled to St. Bonaventure for a three-day tournament which included teams from University of Buffalo, Youngstown State University, Niagara University and St. Bonaventure University. The tournament used an individual format in scoring so there was not an overall team score.
Junior Dan Williford took over the number one spot with the absence of junior Colin Ryan who usually controls the top spot. On Friday, UR started off the tournament in doubles play where they posted a 3-0 record.
The tandem of Williford and sophomore Avinash Reddy beat Ryan Valentine and Kevin Schaffert from Youngstown State with a single set score of 8-6. Also winning for the Yellowjackets were the couples of sophomore Brian Shenker and freshman Eric Prince, 8-6, and senior Dan Schoenherr and freshman Josh Bruce-Black, 8-5.
Saturday put 9 different Yellowjackets on the courts for singles play and three more doubles matches. In singles play UR could only pick up three victories. Junior Nithin Raiker defeated Billy Seringer from Buffalo, 6-1, 6-0. Avinash Reddy beat Mike Kelly from Niagara in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. In the marathon match of the day Schoenherr picked up a three set match against Jason Ramos from Niagara, 6-3, 4-6 and 6-4.
Sunday was a different day for UR. They put five players in singles play and could not manage to pull of a victory. In doubles play the tandem of Williford and Reddy lost a tough match, 8-6, to the strong team from St. Bonaventure ? Vili Nurmi and Mario Arce. Nurmi and Arce ended up going undefeated throughout the whole tournament in singles and doubles play.
The men’s team is home this weekend for their second of three fall matches. They host the Flower City Tournament at the Peter Lyman Tennis Center.
Johnston can be reached at cjohnston@campustimes.org.
