The Bulls were on the fast track last Saturday at the Olean Racquet Club, rolling over Bucknell 5-2 in a non-conference match. In addition to the team win, the victory also featured a UB player reaching a milestone.
Buffalo's number one singles player Nick Ziezula downed Bucknell's Asher Salam in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Ziezula's final victory tied him with the now-graduated Fery Kasiman for the most wins in men's tennis in UB's Division I history with 64.
"The sign of a champion is not measured in one season or one match, but the ability to sustain oneself through an entire career," said UB head coach Russ Crispell. "Nick's determination to grind out wins, to fight the battle day in and out, to face constant pain, to be taped up due to injuries and then commit himself entirely to the desire to win for the team, this is what makes me proud to say I have been Nick's coach."
The Bulls picked up the lower three singles matches to clinch the victory, with Yules Hadisubroto claiming the win against Bucknell's Joe Menzes, 6-4, 6-0 at number four singles.
Meanwhile, UB's number five singles player Matt Kennedy rolled over Garrett Neff 6-3, 6-1 and Albert Alant defeated Matt Pikus in convincing fashion 6-2, 6-0 at number six singles.
"To see us win at four, five and six against very tough opponents provided what I hope is the recognition to each member of the team that their position, regardless where they may be in the lineup, is still critical and necessary for the overall success of the team," said Crispell.
The Bucknell players had to fight hard for their two points by beating Mike Rockman and Josh Liederman at number two and three singles in three tough sets.
Rockman, a sophomore, dropped a 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-3 match to Ira Reibeisen. Meanwhile Liederman lost a rough match to Nick Denefrio 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
The Bulls had an excellent start in the match by winning the doubles point. While their doubles play has been the weak spot in many matches this season, the Bulls were able to score the doubles point by winning two out of the three doubles matches.
Zieziula and Hadisubroto defeated Bucknell's Denefrio and Salam 8-4 easily at number one singles and at number three singles. The team of Alant and Kennedy combined to claim a victory over Gerald DiChiara and Garrett Neff, 8-5.
Only UB's number two doubles team of Rockman and Liederman dropped their match, 8-6 against Pikus and Reibeisen.
"We have always felt it is critical for the team to win the doubles point," said Crispell. "Against Bucknell, we won a hard-fought point and I believe this carried us into the singles matches. Overall the performance of the team was great."
The Bulls hope this win will snowball and carry over into their upcoming conference schedule.
"Winning is contagious, period," said Crispell. "We talk about winning just one point at a time. The overall game or match is determined not by the big picture, but by very small segments during the match. Focus on one point. Give it all each point."
The Bulls will be back in action on March 6 when they travel to Duquense for a non-league match.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
