March 10, 2009

MEN'S TENNIS KNOCKS-OFF CREIGHTON, 4-2, MONDAY NIGHT

ORLANDO, FLA.- The Bryant University men's tennis team won their second-straight match on Monday night, beating Creighton, 4-2, in Orlando.

The squad wrapped-up the contest by winning four of the six singles matches, not needing to play the doubles since the Blue Jays could not mathematically comeback. Cristian Balestrieri (Mar Del Plata, Argentina) got the Bulldogs going by winning in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 in first singles. Jose Rodriguez (Trujillo, Peru) and Kevin Gardiner (Powder Springs, Ga.) would both have tough matches, but Rodriguez prevailed in a third set tiebreak, winning 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 in second singles, and Gardiner won, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in third singles. The deciding victory came in sixth singles from newcomer Zehn Laliwala (Bagalore, India), who came back to win the final two sets after losing the first, taking home a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory.

The Bulldogs continue play Tuesday in Orlando against South Dakota State.

1- Cristian Balestrieri (BRY)d. Jose Guerra (CRE) 7-5, 7-6
2- Jose Rodriguez(BRY) d. Gabe Nagy (CRE)6-3, 2-6, 7-6
3- Kevin Gardiner (BRY) d. Kyle Obermeier (CRE) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
4- James McAvoy (CRE) d. Tom Nowak (BRY) 6-3, 6-3
5- Bryan Lube (CRE) d. Nicholai Hill (BRY) 7-6, 6-1
6- Zehn Laliwala (BRY) d. Brian Ward (CRE) 4-6, 7-5, 6-4