Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lions' Invitational
Bucknell Men's Tennis Competes in First Event of Spring Season
2/17/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 17, 2002
EWING, N.J. - Freshman Gerald DiChiara (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) was a winner in all four of the matches he participated in as the Bucknell men's tennis team opened its 2002 spring season at The College of New Jersey Lions' Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, February 16-17.
The 14th annual event featured head-to-head singles competition in first through eight singles on day one, and head-to-head doubles action the following day, amongst the three participating institutions: Bucknell, TCNJ and Villanova.
DiChiara improved his collegiate singles record to 6-1 and moved his doubles mark to 4-1 with the four victories. Playing at fifth singles, he defeated TCNJ's Bill Murtha 6-3, 6-3 in the first action of the day. Against Villanova, the rookie was Bucknell's lone winner in singles play, defeating John Toppel in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
Freshman Dave Eckelberger (Littleton, Colo./Littleton) joined DiChiara at third doubles for the weekend. The duo handled Neeraj Pilly and Victor Lai of the host school, defeating them 8-6. The tandem was then the lone winner for the Orange and Blue against Villanova, posting an 8-5 victory over Andy Herron and Aaron Kusza.
Bucknell is back in action on February 28 when it travels to St. Francis (Pa.) for a 2:00 p.m. match.
TCNJ Singles
1. Marc Hill (NJ) vs. Scott Allen - 6-2, 6-2.
2. Joe Menezes (B) vs. Rob Howland - 3-6, 4-1, ret.
3. Todd Jacobs (B) vs. Matt Tallman - 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
4. Leland Tien (B) vs. Bryan Hanley - 6-2, 6-4.
5. Gerald DiChiara (B) vs. Bill Murtha - 6-3, 6-3.
6. Neeraj Pilly (NJ) vs. Dave Eckelberger - 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
7. Paul Bohlander (B) vs. Victor Lai - 6-4, 6-1.
8. Carlton Griggs (NJ) vs. Tom Steckroth - 6-1, 6-1.
TCNJ Doubles
1. Hill/Tallman (NJ) vs. Allen/Jacobs - 8-6.
2. Menezes/Tien (B) vs. Hanley/Murtha - 8-6.
3. DiChiara/Eckelberger (B) vs. Pilly/Lai - 8-6.
Villanova Singles
1. Brad Adams (V) vs. Allen - 6-2, 7-5.
2. Ryan Devine (V) vs. Menezes - 6-1, 6-2.
3. Aaron Kusza (V) vs. Jacobs - 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
4. Andy Herron (V) vs. Tien - 6-3, 6-3.
5. DiChiara (B) vs. John Toppel - 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
6. Andy O'Neill (V) vs. Eckelberger - 7-6 (3), 6-4.
7. Sean Gallagher (V) vs. Bohlander - 6-3, 6-2.
8. Ricardo Baraldi (V) vs. Steckroth - 6-0, 6-0.
Villanova Doubles
1. Adams/Devine (V) vs. Allen/Jacobs - 8-1.
2. A.J. Rohde/Baraldi (V) vs. Menezes/Tien - 8-5.
3. DiChiara/Eckelberger (B) vs. Herron/Kusza - 8-5.
