Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Takes 5-2 PL Win Over Lafayette; Bybel Breaks Program Record
4/13/2014 6:31:00 PM | Men's Tennis
EASTON, Pa. – Sophomore Nick Bybel broke the program record for single-season wins and the Bucknell men's tennis team played to an important 5-2 victory over Lafayette on Saturday in a successful morning of action on the Sullivan Courts. The Bison improved to 3-14 overall and 2-3 in Patriot League match play with the win, while the Leopards dropped to 4-8 overall and 1-5 in the conference with the defeat.
For the second day in a row, Bybel and senior Aidan Lynch combined to claim a win at the top doubles spot, playing to an 8-4 victory over Brandon Goldstein and Brian Stefanowicz, but Lafayette took the 1-0 lead with victories at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Brian Pinkard and Jake Lazer just snuck by senior Chris Tortora and freshman Bryan Adams, winning 8-7 in the tiebreaker, while Chris Matturri and Gavin Studner triumphed over senior Scott Bernstein and junior Octavio Canibe by a score of 8-5 in the No. 3 match.
The Bison took control of the match in singles play however, triumphing in five of the six bouts to take a 5-2 team win over the Leopards. Bybel remained undefeated in Patriot League singles play, defeating Goldstein by scores of 6-0 and 6-4 to take his seventh consecutive win at the top spot. The sophomore improved his season mark to 25-9, breaking the program's record for single-season wins. Former Bison Mark Malloy played to a 24-9 record in 2007-08, while Evan Zimmer, who graduated last year, went 24-13 in his final campaign.
Adams, Canibe, senior Kyle Rosen and junior Jonathan DeFrancesch all earned wins in their respective matches to help push Bucknell past Lafayette. Adams played to a 6-4, 6-0 win over Stefanowicz at No. 3 singles, while Canibe triumphed over Lazer by scores of 6-0 and 6-4. Rosen and DeFrancesch won at No. 5 and No. 6 singles respectively, with the senior defeating Matturi (6-2, 6-4) and the junior beating Studner (6-3, 6-3).
“Lafayette executed its shots better in doubles play,” commented DeFrancesch after the match, “but we all came together and wanted to make a statement in singles. All of our games are coming together, and we are ready to peak at the Patriot League Tournament.”
Bucknell concludes Patriot League dual play on Wednesday when it travels to Lehigh for a 3:30 p.m. match.
Doubles:
1. Nick Bybel/Aidan Lynch (B) def. Brandon Goldstein/Brian Stefanowicz (L), 8-4
2. Brian Pinkard/Jake Lazer (L) def. Chris Tortora/Bryan Adams (B), 8-7 (4)
3. Chris Matturri/Gavin Studner (L) vs. Scott Bernstein/Octavio Canibe (B), 8-5
Singles:
1. Nick Bybel (B) def. Brandon Goldstein (L), 6-0, 6-4
2. Brian Pinkard (L) def. Aidan Lynch (B), 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
3. Bryan Adams (B) def. Brian Stefanowicz (L), 6-4, 6-0
4. Octavio Canibe (B) def. Jake Lazer (L), 6-0, 6-4
5. Kyle Rosen (B) def. Chris Matturi (L), 6-2, 6-4
6. Jonathan DeFrancesch (B) def. Gavin Studner, 6-3, 6-3
Players Mentioned
