Men's Tennis Edged 4-3 at James Madison

Saturday, March 26

Harrisonburg, Va.

10:00 AM

Bucknell University

James Madison

Men's Tennis Faces Challenge at No. 47 Penn State on Saturday

3/26/2016 6:56:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: TBD

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Bucknell men's tennis team lost all three matches that went three sets, coming up just short in a 4-3 loss at James Madison on Saturday. The Bison fell to 8-9 overall, while the Dukes evened their record at 8-8.

Senior Nick Bybel recorded a big win at No. 1 singles for Bucknell, beating Sebastian Salinas in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. Salinas was ranked 123^rd in the nation and 11^th in the Atlantic Region entering the spring season. Bybel, who was listed 18^th in the Atlantic Region, improved to 10-3 with his sixth straight win.

Bybel also helped Bucknell take a 1-0 lead after doubles play. He teamed with freshman Andrei Vitiuc for a 6-3 win at No. 2, while sophomores Daniel Wright and Ben Gerber clinched the point with a 7-5 verdict at No. 3.

Bucknell lost the first three completed singles matches, two of which went three sets, to fall behind 3-1, but won the next two to tie the match. Bybel recorded the first singles win, which was followed by a 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) victory by Wright at No. 2.

James Madison closed the match with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win by Miljan Ruzic at No. 5 singles. Bucknell players led 1-0 before dropping the final two sets of all three three-set matches.

The Bison will be back on the road for another non-conference match when they travel to play Villanova on Tuesday. The time of the match has yet to be announced.

James Madison 4, Bucknell 3

Mar 26, 2016 at Harrisonburg, Va. (Hillside Courts)

Singles competition

1. Nick Bybel (BUCKNELL) def. Sebastian Salinas (JMU) 7-5, 7-5

2. Daniel Wright (BUCKNELL) def. Brett Moorhead (JMU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)

3. Maxi Branth (JMU) def. Max Kane (BUCKNELL) 6-2, 7-6 (8-6)

4. Tristan Stitt (JMU) def. Andrei Vitiuc (BUCKNELL) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

5. Miljan Ruzic (JMU) def. Ben Gerber (BUCKNELL) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

6. Alex Berdnikoff (JMU) def. Max McDonald (BUCKNELL) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Tristan Stitt/Maxi Branth (JMU) def. Max Kane/Timber Erskine (BUCKNELL) 6-4

2. Nick Bybel/Andrei Vitiuc (BUCKNELL) def. Sebastian Salinas/Miljan Ruzic (JMU) 6-3