The Bulls showed promise for a new beginning in the spring, with a strong finish to their fall season at the Cornell Invitational in Ithaca, N.Y., last weekend.
Fery Kasiman showed what makes him integral to the team. He advanced to the A flight semifinals before being bounced out by the number one seed, Rutgers' Anthony Jagdale, 7-5, 6-0.
None of the Bulls has ever advanced to the semi-finals.
"Kasiman continues to show why he is our number one player," said Head Coach Russ Crispell. "His determination and willingness to literally throw himself after ball after ball and his critical winners reflected in his play this weekend."
Senior Justin Brtko won the consolation finals of the A flight in an intense 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 match against Ryan Richert of Assumption College. The match culminated in a grueling tiebreaker that Brtko won to take both the match and the title.
Randy Rocchio was eliminated from the B flight in the quarterfinals after losing his first set 6-3 and a second set tiebreaker 15-13.
Nick Zieziula stampeded through the B flight consolation bracket to take the finals, beating St. Bonaventure University's Mikhil Muralli 6-2, 7-5.
Senior Sean Kelley took third consolation title when he defeated David Wagreich of Farleigh Dickinson University 6-1, 6-1 in the finals.
It was the first time UB has won three consolation titles in the tournament.
"No doubt this was a team effort. Players cheered each other even after having been on the court for six or seven hours themselves," said Crispell.
"This was UB's best showing in all the years that we have played in this most prestigious event. The entire team came into the evening wanting to prove that we belong at this top level, and indeed they gained respect."
The Bulls finished their fall campaign with a 3-0 record and will resume play next Feb. 9 at the Cornell Duals Invitational.
