Bucknell University
George Mason
Canibe Leads Men's Tennis to Win Over George Mason on Senior Day
3/29/2015 8:58:00 PM | Men's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Octavio Canibe had a Senior Day to remember as he helped the Bucknell men's tennis team post a 5-2 win over visiting George Mason on Sunday at the Bucknell Tennis Courts. It was the fourth straight win for the Bison, who improved to 9-6 on the season.
Canibe notched wins in both singles and doubles on the day. His singles victory came in thrilling fashion, as he outlasted Conor Moran 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 at No. 4. He teamed with Ben Gerber for an easy 8-2 win to help the Bison pick up the doubles point.
Canibe is now all alone in ninth on the program's career wins list in singles play, holding a record of 56-55. He improved to 50-45 in doubles, which ranks 13th at all-time at Bucknell.
At the top of the singles wins list is Canibe's teammate, Nick Bybel. The junior upped his career record to 78-21 and his season record to 30-3 with a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over James Lange at No. 1. He is also moved into the top-10 in doubles, playing with Bryan Adams in an 8-4 win at the top spot.
With Bucknell leading 2-1, Daniel Wright topped George Mason's Joe Hill, 6-3, 6-4. The Patriot responded with a win at No. 5, but William Szamosszegi clinched the match with a 6-4, 7-6 (3) win at No. 6.
“We won the doubles point which was crucial, and we won a lot of tight singles matches, which gives us all confidence,” Canibe said. “We are all ready to take on our Patriot League rivals this coming week. I am proud of the guys for pulling out a big win on Senior Day/Alumni Weekend.”
Bybel has won 13 straight matches, while Wright and Canibe are each unbeaten in their past four contests.
“As a coach you want to peak at the right time, and I think that is what's happening for us,” said Bucknell head coach Craig Schwartz. “We have a lot of momentum heading into the Patriot League matches. It's a great time of year to be a Bison!”
In addition to Canibe, the Bison also honored Jonathan DeFrancesch prior to the match. DeFrancesch won 20 singles matches and 15 in doubles during his career before graduating at the end of the most recent fall semester.
The Bison open Patriot League play when they host Lafayette on Thursday. The match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
BUCKNELL 5, GEORGE MASON 2
9-6, 0-0 PL
Lewisburg, Pa.
Doubles
1. Nick Bybel/Bryan Adams (BU) def. James Lange/Joe Hill (GMU), 8-4
2. Tanner Baine/Daniel Gutierrez (GMU) def. Daniel Wright/Maxwell Kane (BU), 8-7 (5)
3. Octavio Canibe/Ben Gerber (BU) def. Aaron Capitel/Nick Barker (GM), 8-2
Order of Finish – 3, 1, 2
Singles
1. Nick Bybel (BU) def. James Lange (GMU), 6-1, 6-2
2. Aaron Capitel (GMU) def. Bryan Adams (BU), 6-2, 6-0
3. Daniel Wright (BU) def. Joe Hill (GMU), 6-3, 6-4
4. Octavio Canibe (BU) def. Conor Moran (GM), 6-3, 5-7, 10-8
5. Tanner Baine (GMU) def. Maxwell Kane (BU), 6-4, 6-2
6. William Szamosszegi (BU) def. Daniel Gutierrez (GMU), 6-4, 7-6 (3)
Order of Finish -1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 4
Players Mentioned
