Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Tennis - Season Preview
2/9/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 9, 2005
With all six letterwinners returning from last season, the Bison men's tennis squad has the experience and the talent necessary to improve on last season's 9-11 record and reach the Patriot League post season. The seasoned group of veterans have all seen significant action since their freshmen years and the veteran seniors and juniors have all already made their way into the Bison all-time records for wins.
Back for the 2004 campaign are senior captains Nick Denefrio and Gerald DiChiara, juniors Joe Menezes and Asher Salam, and sophomores Brian Cohen and Matt Pikus.
Denefrio has played his entire Bison career at the one and two singles spots, compiling 22 dual match victories over his three years in a Bucknell uniform. The senior has also had a productive run in dual meet doubles matches, posting 30 wins. Denefrio will attempt to make a big impact during his senior campaign and improve upon his already solidified position in Bison history. His 73 wins over his career place him in a tie for eighth place all-time in the Bison record books.
DiChiara is another senior who will be trying to make the best of his final season for the orange and blue. Another Bison to have seen significant action since his freshman year, DiChiara will also play in the top couple spots for the Bison, where he spent most of the 2003-04 season. DiChiara was the lone Bison to capture a tournament singles title this fall. He did so by taking the eighth flight of the Northeast Intercollegiate Championships in September.
Menezes, a senior and last season's team MVP with a 17-10 singles record, will also add to Bucknell's depth at the top with his three years of experience. Menezes saw the most action at the four spot last season. Menezes and Salam are tied for 14th on the all-time win list with 67 apiece. Menezes has posted a 67-63 mark, while Salam has accumulated a 67-48 record.
Freshmen Ira Reibeisen (Armonk, N.Y.) and John Lashnits (Chappaqua, N.Y.) will also look to make a big impact on the Bison spring season after having excellent first collegiate fall seasons. Reibeisen posted a 9-3 record in tournament play, while Lashnits notched a 10-4 mark. Reibeisen was also the only Bison to qualify for competition at the ITA Regionals in October. The freshman duo also combined for a tournament doubles title at the Northeast Intercollegiate Championships in Providence, R.I., in September.
The Bison also welcome the addition of freshman Ben Young from New Canaan, Conn., and the return Garrett Neff from Wilmington, Del., who did not compete last season.
The Bison begin the 2005 spring season on Feb. 12 at Quinnipiac, in Hamden, Conn. The match is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. The Bison, coming off a 1-5 league record in 2004, have been selected to finish sixth in the Patriot League.
Throughout the season, the Bison men will make trips to Penn State, St. Bonaventure and Duquesne to name a few. The Bison will take to their home courts three times during the spring season, against Army on April 2, Lafayette on April 10, and versus local rival Bloomsburg on April 20.
