The UB men's tennis team enjoyed a successful tournament last weekend as they finished high in both singles and doubles action at St. Bonaventure's annual Fall Classic.
Topping off the Bulls performance, two individual winners and one doubles-team winner touted perfect 3-0 records.
"It was real informal but we definitely came out with the best record overall," said Assistant Coach Nick Zieziula.
The Fall Classic was played in a hidden-duals format for the first two days and as individual matches on Sunday, with no flight winners or team champions crowned.
Senior Matt Kennedy started the season on a strong note, winning all three of his singles matches and sweeping his opponents on Friday and Saturday. Not to be outdone, Toronto native Mike Rockman also went undefeated, taking Saturday's match by default.
The tandem of Yules Hadisubroto and Nikesh Singh Panthlia were the only Bulls to compete in more than one doubles competition. The team represented UB well, winning all three matches.
"Yules played his first match at number one he has ever played for us and he was with Nikesh in doubles," Zieziula said. "I wouldn't be surprised if they can manage a regional ranking."
Sunday proved to be thrilling, as both Kennedy and Rockman needed all three sets to overtake the competition. St. Bonaventure's Dejan Stankovic took the first set of this weekend's finale 6-4. Kennedy Rallied from behind and took the second and third with a pair of 7-5 victories. Friday and Saturday's matches were far less exciting as the Bulls handled their opponents in straight sets.
Losing his first set 6-2, Rockman rallied a compelling comeback, beating St. Bonaventure's Alejando Nelly by the same margin. The junior only played one other match before being awarded a default win the second day, using all three sets to down Niagara's Justin McConkey, 6-3, 6-7,6-4.
"Rockman is our number-one player and he had a great win. Niagara had a really strong player so that was a great win," Zieziula said.
UB's doubles also enjoyed a successful outing, compiling an 8-1 combined record. The pair of Hadisubroto and Singh Panthlia enjoyed an undefeated tournament ousting Youngstown's Ryan Trapp and Jason Trapp 8-1 on Friday. Carrying the momentum over, the couple squeaked by Mac Dickinson and Justin McConkley 9-8.
Facing a rematch of Friday's bout with the Trapp Brothers, the Bulls took the finals with a decisive 8-2 victory.
Both Singh Panthlia and Hadisubroto finished the weekend 2-1 in singles play.
Albert Alant delivered another notable performance. The South African native started his senior season on a strong note, winning his first two matches in straight sets before losing in a hard-fought, three-set battle to Jonathan Luce of St. Bonaventure.
The Bulls continue their season this weekend as the team travels to Hanover, N.H., to compete in the Dartmouth Invitational.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
