Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Old Dominion
Bucknell Downed by Old Dominion
3/8/2014 6:30:00 PM | Men's Tennis
NORFOLK, Va. – The Bucknell men's tennis team began its week of spring break matches on Saturday, traveling down to Norfolk, Va. for a morning contest against Old Dominion at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center. The Bison, who fell to 0-6 with the defeat, dropped a 7-0 decision to the Monarchs, who improved to 9-4 with the victory, but the day was not without its highlights. Sophomore Nick Bybel and senior Aidan Lynch were about to serve for match point at No. 1 doubles when the point was awarded, while junior Jonathan DeFrancesch engaged in another tight battle at No. 6 singles, almost eking out a triumph.
“We played pretty solid doubles at the first and third spot,” said interim head coach Craig Schwartz after the match. “Our singles play is better overall, but we still have certain areas that we need to improve on. We are just looking forward to getting outdoors.”
Seniors Scott Bernstein and Chris Tortora were defeated by a score of 8-0 at No. 2 doubles, and while they came close, DeFrancesch and senior Irwin Reibeisen fell by a score of 8-5 at the No. 3 spot, giving Old Dominion the doubles point. Bybel and Lynch had played to a 7-6 lead over Carlos Lopez Villa and Jonas Kuwert, and were serving for match point when the point was awarded, preventing them from finishing the contest.
The Monarchs made quick work of the Bison in singles play however, sweeping the first five matches in straight sets. The No. 6 singles show-down was a different, as DeFrancesch and Keon Wiggemans were neck-and-neck for the duration of play. Wiggemons won the first set by a score of 7-5, before DeFrancesch rallied back to take a 6-3 win in the second set. The players battled through a third set to determine the winner, with Wiggemons the eventual victor by a score of 14-12.
Bucknell will return to action on Tuesday, March 11 when it heads to Hilton Head Island, S.C. to take on South Carolina State at 8 a.m. in its first match of the Spring TennisFest.
Doubles:
1. Nick Bybel/Aidan Lynch (B) led Carlos Lopez Villa/Jonas Kuwert (OD), 7-6
2. Keon Wiggemans/Zvonimir Podvinski (OD) def. Scott Bernstein/Chris Tortora (B), 8-0
3. Dante Terenzio/Abdoulaye Camara (OD) def. Jonathan DeFrancesch/Irwin Reibeisen (B), 8-5
Singles:
1. Carlos Lopez Villa (OD) def. Nick Bybel (B), 6-3, 6-3
2. Jonas Kuwert (OD) def. Aidan Lynch (B), 6-2, 6-0
3. Dante Terenzio (OD) def. Octavio Canibe (B), 6-1, 6-2
4. Zvonimir Podvinski (OD) def. Kyle Rosen (B), 6-1, 6-3
5. Abdoulaye Camara (OD) def. Irwin Reibeisen (B), 6-0, 6-3
6. Keon Wiggemans (OD) def. Jonathan DeFrancesch (B), 7-5, 3-6, 14-12
Players Mentioned
