Bucknell University
Saint Joseph's
Bucknell Men's Tennis Stays Undefeated vs. St. Joe's, Wins 4-3
4/2/2013 8:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 2, 2013
PHILADELPHIA – Kelly Morque battled in a three-set match and the effort paid off as the senior helped Bucknell men's tennis to a 4-3 win over Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon. The Bison stayed a perfect 18-0 all-time against the Hawks and extended their current winning streak to three. Also collecting wins in Philadelphia were Nick Bybel and Evan Zimmer, whose success followed a Bucknell doubles sweep earlier in the day.
After sweeping doubles play, Zimmer gave Bucknell a 2-0 lead with a straight-sets win over Tommy Gates, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3 singles, and Bybel extended that to 3-0 with a smooth 6-1, 6-1 victory over Alex Veronis at the top of the lineup.
With the early lead, the Bison were never really in danger of falling to the Hawks. Morque clinched the deciding match in dramatic fashion, however. The Bison senior and Pierre Brondeau split the first two sets, but Morque came back in the end, ultimately winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
Thanks to Morque's ability to hang on, Bucknell has now won its last three matches overall and its last four non-conference bouts. The recent success gives the Bison a record of 10-5 and a streak of at least three consecutive seasons of 10 or more team wins since 1995-99.
Bucknell mixed up its doubles lineup a bit and it worked in their favor. Aidan Lynch and Zimmer moved up to the No. 1 position and stepped up to the challenge with an 8-6 win over Dan Barrus and Jeff Kessler. The Bison duo has won each of its last three matches.
Bybel and Josh Katten snapped a short skid of their own with an 8-5 decision over Max Montague and Andres Urrea at No. 2 doubles. Octavio Canibe and Morque were also 8-6 winners over Brondeau and Veronis.
Bucknell will be back in action twice this weekend. First up is Colgate at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Hamilton, N.Y. The Bison will continue with New York opponents on Sunday with an 11 a.m. meeting with Binghamton in Vestal, N.Y.
BUCKNELL 4, SAINT JOSEPH'S 3
Doubles
1. Aidan Lynch/Evan Zimmer (BU) def. Dan Barrus/Jeff Kessler (SJU), 8-6
2. Nick Bybel/Josh Katten (BU) def. Max Montague/Andres Urrea (SJU), 8-5
3. Octavio Canibe/Kelly Morque (BU) def. Pierre Brondeau/Alex Veronis (SJU), 8-6
Singles
1. Nick Bybel (BU) def. Alex Veronis (SJU), 6-1, 6-1
2. Kelly Morque (BU) def. Pierre Brondeau (SJU), 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
3. Evan Zimmer (BU) def. Tommy Gates (SJU), 6-3, 6-0
4. Max Montague (SJU) def. Josh Katten (BU), 6-2, 6-3
5. Jeff Kessler (SJU) def. Kyle Rosen (BU), 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
6. Dan Barrus (SJU) def. Octavio Canibe (BU), 3-6, 6-3, (12-10)
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 4, 2, 6, 5
