Bucknell University
Lehigh
Men's Tennis Evens Patriot League Record with 4-3 Win Over Lehigh
4/6/2015 8:06:00 PM | Men's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Freshman Daniel Wright is getting used to playing under pressure for the Bucknell men's tennis team. For the second time in three days, the match hinged on his result at No. 2 singles, and Wright came through with a three-set victory to lead the Bison to a 4-3 win over visiting Lehigh on Monday afternoon.
Wright nearly helped Bucknell pull off a win at Colgate on Saturday, but fell in a three-set heartbreaker. He was victorious in three sets this time, bouncing back from a 6-2 loss in the first set to post 6-2, 6-0 wins in the final two to clinch the match for the Bison.
“It was great for us to bounce back from a tough weekend with a win in such a great way in today's match,” Wright said. “We are looking forward to what lies ahead of us in the next couple of weeks.”
Bucknell went up 1-0 thanks to wins in two of the three doubles matches. Octavio Canibe and Ben Gerber got things started with an 8-4 decision at No. 3, and Nick Bybel and Bryan Adams followed with an 8-4 win at No. 1.
Bybel and Gerber cruised to wins at No. 1 and No. 6 singles, respectively, to put the Bison up 3-0. Bybel posted perfect 6-0, 6-0 scores to improve to 34-3 on the year, including an 18-1 mark during the spring, with his 17th consecutive victory. Gerber topped Tyler Hansen 6-4, 6-0 to keep things rolling for the Bison.
Lehigh bounced back with wins at No. 5 and No. 4 singles, setting the stage for Wright, who improved to 14-4 during the spring.
“This was a great bounce back win for us against a tough Lehigh team,” said Bucknell head coach Craig Schwartz. “I think with each match we are showing more and more character. I am definitely proud to be the leader of this great team.”
Lehigh was picked to finish third in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, two spots ahead of Bucknell.
The Bison will play their final conference match of the regular season when they travel to play Loyola (Md.) on Saturday at 1 p.m.
BUCKNELL 4, LEHIGH 3
11-8, 2-2 PL
Lewisburg, Pa.
Doubles
1. Nick Bybel/Bryan Adams (BU) def. Ben Gilman/Jeremy Kochman (L), 8-4
2. Mitchell Petersen/Ethan Bogard (L) def. Daniel Wright/Maxwell Kane (BU), 8-5
3. Octavio Canibe/Ben Gerber (BU) def. Jack Petersen/Graham Lehman (L), 8-4
Order of Finish – 3, 1, 2
Singles
1. Nick Bybel (BU) def. Ben Gilman (L), 6-0, 6-0
2. Daniel Wright (BU) def. Jeremy Kochman (L), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0
3. Jack Petersen (L) def. Bryan Adams (BU), 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
4. Mitchell Petersen (L) def. Octavio Canibe (BU), 7-5, 6-2
5. Ethan Bogard (L) def. Maxwell Kane (BU), 7-6 (5), 6-3
6. Ben Gerber (BU) def. Tyler Hansen (L), 6-4, 6-0
Order of Finish – 1, 6, 5, 4, 2, 3
Exhibition
Graham Lehman (L) def. William Szamosszegi (BU), 8-6
Players Mentioned
