Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Katten Key as Bucknell Men's Tennis Wins 4-2 Over Lafayette in Patriot League Tournament
4/23/2010 8:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 23, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Josh Katten (Plainview, N.Y./Plainview JFK) clinched the team victory for the Bison with a straight sets win at No. 3 singles as Bucknell men's tennis defeated Lafayette, 4-2, in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament at the Varsity Tennis Courts on Friday afternoon. The third-seeded Bison advance to the semifinals for the fourth consecutive season and will face second-seeded Navy at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
Katten sailed through his first set against Lafayette's Steven Benezra, 6-1. Benezra put up more of a fight in the second, but Katten pulled through for the 7-5 win. The Bucknell freshman's victory gave the team its fourth point of the day and its second win of the season over the Leopards.
Katten also had a hand in clinching the doubles point for the Bison. He and Evan Zimmer (Essex Fells, N.J./West Essex) won 8-5 over Scott Gelbman and Andrew Morris at the third position after Bucknell and Lafayette split the first two doubles matches. Gregg Cohenca (Purchase, N.Y./Rye Country Day School) and Ryan Marcil (Vero Beach, Fla./St. Edward's) opened the day with an 8-3 win over Benezra and Justin Haar. Anton Kovic (Montreal, Quebec/Milton Academy (Mass.)) and Zach Hascoe (Greenwich, Conn./Brunswick) took a tough 8-5 loss to Eric Wiley and Doug Gallagher at No. 1 doubles.
Joining Katten in the wins column in singles were Cohenca and Zimmer. Zimmer was the first Bison off the court after a smooth 6-3, 6-1 victory over Haar. Cohenca followed with his 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Gallagher.
Only Gregory Maxson (Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Hotchkiss) was unable to complete his match before the ultimate match outcome was decided. The Bison sophomore came back from a 6-0 first-set loss to Morris to win 7-5 in the second. Maxson was leading 3-1 in the third when the match was called.
In other tournament action, No. 5 Lehigh upset No. 4 Colgate, 4-1. Navy rolled past No. 7 Holy Cross, 4-0. Lehigh will face top-seeded Army in the day's first semifinal, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Bucknell's Varsity Tennis Courts. The Midshipmen and Bison will follow in the afternoon bout.
Bucknell 4, Lafayette 2
Doubles:
1. Eric Wiley/Doug Gallagher (L) def. Anton Kovic/Zach Hascoe (B), 8-5
2. Gregg Cohenca/Ryan Marcil (B) def. Steven Benezra/Justin Haar (L), 8-3
3. Josh Katten/Evan Zimmer (B) def. Scott Gelbman/Andrew Morris (L), 8-5
Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles:
1. Eric Wiley (L) def. Anton Kovic (B), 6-1, 6-2
2. Gregg Cohenca (B) def. Doug Gallagher (L), 6-4, 6-4
3. Josh Katten (B) def. Steven Benezra (L), 6-1, 7-5
4. Scott Gelbman (L) def. Ryan Marcil (B), 6-3, 6-1
5. Evan Zimmer (B) def. Justin Haar (L), 6-3, 6-1
6. Gregory Maxson (B) ahead Andrew Morris (L), 0-6, 7-5, 3-1 DNF
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 1, 2, 3 (6 DNF)
