Bucknell University
Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
Bison Men's Tennis Sweeps Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, 7-0
3/12/2013 8:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 12, 2013
HUMACAO, Puerto Rico – Bucknell men's tennis improved to 2-0 during Spring Break, sweeping Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras in Humacao, Puerto Rico on Tuesday. With his straight-sets win, Evan Zimmer became the sixth player in program history to record 60 wins in singles as the Bison improved to 6-2 on the year.
Zimmer now has a career record of 60-37, tying him for fifth all-time at Bucknell in singles victories. To reach the milestone, the senior defeated his Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras opponent 6-2, 6-0 at the second spot in the lineup.
By the time Zimmer collected his win, the match had already been decided, however. Bucknell made quick work of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras in doubles, sweeping all three regulation matches and getting a bonus win in exhibition play. Nick Bybel and Josh Katten won 8-2 at the top of the lineup, improving their dual record together to 5-4. Kelly Morque and Zimmer had a slightly tougher time with their foes, but still came away with the 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles. That Bison duo is now 6-3 together in duals, making them the team's winningest tandem this spring.
Morque had a battle on his hands in singles as well. The senior fell behind 2-5 in the first set at No. 1 singles, but ran off 10 straight games. The impressive comeback gave him a 7-6, 6-0 decision and the first win at No. 1 singles by a player other than Bybel this year.
Morque was one of five double winners on Tuesday. Aidan Lynch and Ryan Marcil teamed up for an 8-1 win at No. 3 doubles before winning their respective singles matches. Marcil won a 6-2, 6-2 match at the No. 4 position on the singles court, while Lynch was the 6-0, 6-2 victor at No. 6. Katten followed his doubles win with a 6-0, 6-3 win at third singles.
Chris Tortora and Scott Bernstein were also two-time winners, but most their victories came in exhibition play. The duo teamed up for an 8-1 win in doubles. Tortora then defeated Ruiz 6-2, 6-0 at fifth singles, while Bernstein won 6-1, 6-0 in his exhibition match.
Bucknell will return to action on Thursday against Florida A&M. The final Spring Break match in Puerto Rico is set for 8:30 a.m.
Bucknell 7, Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras 0
Doubles
1. Nick Bybel/Josh Katten (BU) def. Reyes/Lopez (PR), 8-2
2. Kelly Morque/Evan Zimmer (BU) def. Ruiz/Marical (PR), 8-6
3. Aidan Lynch/Ryan Marcil (BU) def. Pirallo/Espada (PR), 8-1
Exh. Scott Bernstein/Chris Tortora (BU) def. Arroyo/Morales (PR), 8-1
Singles
1. Kelly Morque (BU) def. Reyes (PR), 7-6, 6-0
2. Evan Zimmer (BU) def. Marical (PR), 6-2, 6-0
3. Josh Katten (BU) def. Lopez (PR), 6-0, 6-3
4. Ryan Marcil (BU) def. Pirallo (PR), 6-2, 6-2
5. Chris Tortora (BU) def. Ruiz (PR), 6-2, 6-0
6. Aidan Lynch (BU) def. de Jesus (PR), 6-0, 6-2
Exh. Scott Bernstein (BU) def. Arroyo (PR), 6-1, 6-0
Order of Finish: 6, 5, 3, 2, 4, 1
