Bucknell University
Delaware
Freshmen Help Men's Tennis Top Delaware 6-1 in Season Opener
2/1/2015 6:35:00 PM | Men's Tennis
WILMINGTON, Del. – Competing in their first collegiate dual match, Bucknell's men's tennis freshmen went 3-0 in singles play and played a role in two of the three doubles wins as the Bison opened the spring season with a 6-1 victory at Delaware on Sunday at DuPont Country Club.
Freshmen Daniel Wright, Ben Gerber and Maxwell Kane all improved to 1-0 on the spring season with wins in singles play. Junior Nick Bybel added a win at No. 1 singles and Octavio Canibe prevailed in the third spot as Bucknell rolled to five singles wins and swept all three doubles matches.
The Bison didn't lose a set in their five singles wins on the day. Kane's 6-3, 6-0 victory over Zack Niklaus clinched the match, while Wright was a 6-0, 6-0 winner at No.4 and Gerber won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 5.
Bybel, ranked 114th nationally by the ITA, improved to 65-20 in his career with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Mike Furr at No. 1. Canibe, who moved into a tie for 14th in program history with his 50th career win, had a little tougher time, but held off Matt Renzi, 6-2, 7-6 (7) at No. 3.
The doubles competition was filled with close matches, but the Bison came out on top in all three. Bybel and Adams teamed up for a 7-5 win at No. 1, and Canibe and Wright won by the same score at No. 2. Gerber and Kane's match at No. 3 was close, as well, as they came out on top 6-4.
Sunday's result was a big turnaround from last season when the Bison dropped a 5-2 decision on the road. Bybel and Canibe both reversed their results from that match.
“We really played a complete team match today,” said Bucknell head coach Craig Schwartz. “It's always great to work so hard during the preseason and see it all come together with a win in the first match of the year. I am proud of all my players for working so hard. We are looking forward to next weekend's matches.
The Bison have a busy schedule ahead of them next weekend with three road matches in two days. They will play at Princeton and at Fordham on Saturday, and at Hofstra on Sunday.
Bucknell 6, Delaware 1
Singles
1. #114 Nick Bybel (BUCKNELL) def. Mike Furr (UD), 6-0, 6-0
2. Shane Jeffray (UD) def. Bryan Adams (BUCKNELL), 7-6 (3), 6-2
3. Octavio Canibe (BUCKNELL) def. Matt Renzi (UD), 6-2, 7-6 (7)
4. Daniel Wright (BUCKNELL) def. Tim Puterio (UD), 6-0, 6-0
5. Ben Gerber (BUCKNELL) def. Alex Sweet (UD), 6-4, 6-4
6. Maxwell Kane (BUCKNELL) def. Zack Niklaus (UD), 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
1. Bybel/Adams (BUCKNELL) def. Flematti/Jeffray (UD), 7-5
2. Canibe/Wright (BUCKNELL) def. Renzi/Niklaus (UD), 7-5
3. Gerber/Kane (BUCKNELL) def. Furr/Puterio (UD), 6-4
Players Mentioned
