The men’s tennis team continued its season this past Thursday and Sunday after two losses to Brandeis University and Babson College the week before. The ‘Jackets showed no weakness on Thursday, sweeping the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers, 9-0. The ‘Jackets were unable to sustain that momentum in their match on Sunday, however, losing to the St. Lawrence University Saints, 1-8.
Against the Tigers, UR was unstoppable. Sophomore Brian Bowman took first singles, defeating his opponent, 6-4, 6-2. At second singles, freshman Ryan Kovaleski wasted no time notching another win for UR, allowing his opponent only two games and winning, 6-1, 6-1. Bowman and Kovaleski also combined in first doubles to win, 8-4.
Freshman Bennett Peterson added another winning match to the ‘Jackets score, taking No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-1. Freshman Patrick Sheehan in fourth singles added another win for the ‘Jackets, taking out his opponent, 6-4, 6-3. In fifth singles, sophomore Adam Crosby swept the opposition in the first set, 6-0, and then went on to win the second set, 6-3, to take the match. In finishing up the singles sweep, freshman Daniel Barbash – at the No. 6 spot – had to work hard for his second set, beating his opponent in an exciting super tiebreaker. The final score was 6-3, 6-7, 1-0 (11-9).
At second doubles, Peterson and Barbash teamed up to win, 8-5. Following their lead were Crosby and Sheehan, who won third doubles, 8-2.
Hoping to keep the momentum alive, the ‘Jackets then visited the Saints on Sunday. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful. The only win for UR came from Peterson at third singles. He beat his opponent, 6-4, 6-2. As second singles, Kovaleski won the second set, 7-5, but lost in a super tiebreaker. Barbash won his first set in a tiebreaker, 13-11, but lost in a super tiebreaker in sixth singles. Bowman and Kovaleski lost very narrowly at first doubles. The final score was 9-7.
UR moved to 6-6 with the split this past week. Hoping to add another win, the men will be traveling just down the road this afternoon to play against the Nazareth College Golden Flyers at 4 p.m. The Golden Flyers are currently 4-6 and will be coming off wins against Alfred University and Elmira College.
Belonga is a member of the class of 2010.
