???After a subpar showing last year, many wondered how the men's tennis team would fare in their 2008-2009 campaign.
???Since returning from Dartmouth, the Bulls have answered that question.
???On Friday, the Bulls visited Dartmouth College to face off against many schools known for their athletic achievements. The schools, ranging from Army, Amherst, Niagara, Colgate, Williams and Loyola Marymount, were in attendance with the Bulls and the Big Green.
???During the three-day tournament, both singles matches and doubles matches were played in rotation on the Dartmouth courts. The tournament had no team scoring.
???The Bulls started off shaky at first, but quickly rebounded over the last two days, ending the tournament with 17 wins and 15 losses. This was primarily due to the Bulls 16-8 run through Saturday and Sunday.
???"This is the best competition that we've had so far," said Buffalo head coach Sherif Zaher. "Hopefully next week we'll be even better."
???The players pulled together in the tournament after the rough start. Five players ended with 2-1 records in singles. The doubles teams also ended the tournament with a 2-1 record.
???"It was not just one player who helped bring us back," Zaher said. "The whole team pulled together."
???The Bulls' spark began with junior singles player Kirill Kolomyts. Kolomyts earned two wings with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Amherst and a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Williamsville. Sophomore singles player Marcelo Mazzetto continued Buffalo's winning ways, beating Amherst in a third-set tiebreaker 6-2, 2-6, 10-4.
???The doubles teams rode the newly gained momentum and were victorious thanks to senior Alexis Lluis and freshman Kristof Clusters. The duo picked up two wins, including a 9-7 victory against Loyola Marymount. Sophomores Juan Carlos Wynter and Mitch Zenaty blew through their opponents, going 8-5 against Williams and 8-3 over Loyola Marymount.
???"It was good to see Mitch and Juan win their doubles games," said Zaher. "It was the first tournament that they played together."
???After a poor showing on Friday, Zaher feels that the Bulls got into the groove of things and came out strong at the end of the tournament. Nevertheless, he isn't letting the good performance get to the team's head.
???"It's a long road and we have to keep pushing," stated Zaher. "We will take it one day at a time but we are improving and looking for a conference championship."
???Hoping to stay on the right track, the Bulls compete in the ITA Regionals in New Haven, Conn. The event begins on Thursday.
