With only six games remaining on its schedule, the men's tennis team is struggling to keep its head above water.
Buffalo (4-10 overall, 0-1 MAC) suffered another defeat to Mid-American Conference member Ball State, 5-2.
Friday night's matches at the Village Glen Tennis Center in Buffalo began with the Bulls sleepwalking through double's play, losing all three matches. Buffalo quickly found themselves in a hole as Ball State (5-8 overall, 1-0 MAC) pounced on them from the beginning of the match.
"We need to be fired up from the first serve," said assistant coach Nick Zieziula. "The early losses in doubles were disappointing because the lack of intensity being shown by our guys."
Singles play started with senior Mike Rockman taking on Ball State's Joe Epkey in the No.1 spot. Rockman lost to Epkey, 6-1, 6-1. The Bulls got their first win of the night in the No. 2 spot from junior Nikesh Singh Panthlia as he defeated Ball State's Aaron Brooks in a come-from-behind victory 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3. Singh Panthlia has continued to step up his game through the course of the season and earned his team-leading 15th single's win of the season on Friday night.
Freshman Kirill Kolomytes kept the momentum rolling for the Bulls winning in the No. 3 spot with another impressive comeback win against Ball State's Jose Perdomo 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (5).
"That was a great win for Kirill playing high in the lineup," Zieziula said. "Early in the season he struggled closing big sets but kept his composure tonight and picked up the win."
Buffalo failed to add to these wins, and ended up dropping the last three matches in single's play to the talented Cardinals.
"In singles we rebounded well and showed some intensity," Zieziula said. "But we're still not satisfied with the result."
Although Friday nights loss was another tough one to swallow for the Bulls they are still striving to improve throughout the remainder of the season.
"This was not one of our better performances," Zieziula said. "But we're going to keep a good attitude, and not be afraid if we see Ball State in the MAC Tournament."
This was the team's first match since returning from their Florida road trip over spring break where several players suffered from illness and the team suffered in the loss column.
"Everyone is healthy again and we've returned to our normal practice schedule and routines," Zieziula said.
The Bulls will make their way to Kalamazoo, Mich. to face 46th-ranked MAC opponent the Western Michigan Broncos (11-7 overall, 1-0 MAC) on Friday, March 30 at 1 p.m. The match will be followed by a bout against the Kalamazoo College Hornets on March 31 at 10:30 a.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
