Men's tennis weekly release
Bulls Return to .500 With Home Win Over Marist
The University at Buffalo men's tennis team snapped a three-match losing string with a 5-2 non-conference victory over visiting Marist Sunday afternoon at the Miller Tennis Center. The match was added to the UB schedule in mid-March and complemented Marist's conference match at Niagara on Saturday.
First-Timers Combine For Key Doubles Win
The Bulls took the doubles point with 8-5 wins in a pair of matches over the Red Foxes. In the number two match, the duo of Marcelo Mazzetto and Travis Zappia defeated Nicolas Pisecky and Landon Greene. UB clinched the point when Wojceich Starakiewicz and Vusa Hove, paired together for the first time this season, knocked off Joris Van Eck and Matt Himmelsbach. Hove increased his team lead in doubles wins with his 14th triumph.
Three Set Contests in Singles Play
UB won the match by taking three of the ensuing four contests, including a pair of three-set contests. Mazzetto finished first with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Pisecky at number three. Starakiewicz and Lorenzo Rossi, in the number one match, exchanged 6-2 decisions with Starakiewicz recording the victory in a 6-2 third set. Following Alex Kalinin's three-set loss to Himmelsbach at number four, UB took the match with Hove, at number two, battling past Van Eck, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Hove shook off leg cramps to post his team-best 16th singles win of the season. Jason Simon downed Greene, 6-1, 6-3 in the number five match while Marist's Will Reznek scored a 6-1, 7-6 (6) win over Zappia in the number six contest to conclude the day.
A Nickell's Worth
Head coach Lee Nickell commented following the matches. "Marist is a well coached team. They were nice to add this match," said Nickell, referring to the fact that the match was added at the last minute. "It was great to get back home and play in front of the home crowd. I'm proud of the way we competed all the way through and finally executed at a level I am happy with."
Hitting the Road For Binghamton, Then Back Home
The Bulls travel to Binghamton this Saturday for an 11:00 am match. Binghamton, the three-time America East champion, comes into the match with a 6-13 record but swept weekend matches at Maryland-Baltimore County and George Washington. UB hosts Chicago State this Sunday at 10:30 am in a match rescheduled from earlier in the season.