Bucknell University
Army West Point (Semifinal)
Men's Tennis Edged by Second-Seeded Army West Point in PL Semifinal Match
4/30/2016 6:25:00 PM | Men's Tennis
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – For the second straight year, the Bucknell men's tennis team gave Army West Point a solid challenge before having its season come to an end in the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament. The sixth-seeded Bison closed the 2016 campaign with a 4-2 loss to the second-seeded Black Knights on Saturday at Lehigh's Ulrich Varsity Courts.
The Bison finished with an overall record of 14-13, going over .500 for the second straight season. The Black Knights improved to 17-8 and advanced to the championship match, where they will play top-seeded Navy at noon on Sunday.
Bucknell had the capability to take at least three of the six singles matches, but needed to notch the doubles point to give itself a real shot at the upset. Unfortunately, Army West Point rolled to easy victories at No. 2 and 3 doubles to go up 1-0. Bison senior Nick Bybel and junior Bryan Adams were tied 3-3 at the top spot before the match was halted.
Bybel was one of two winners in singles for Bucknell, prevailing in straight sets at the top spot for the second straight day. He had little trouble before defeating Sam Lampman, a First Team All-Patriot League selection last season, 6-3, 6-2.
The Bison's other singles win came from Daniel Wright and was also over a returning All-Patriot League player. Wright edged Grant Riechmann, a Second Team honoree last year, 7-6 (5) in the first set and finished the match with a 6-4 score in the second set.
Bucknell gave Army West Point everything it could handle in two of its three singles losses. Sophomore Max Kane dropped his match in three sets at No. 3, while sophomore Ben Gerber did the same at No. 6. Freshman Andrei Vitiuc trailed 5-4 in the third set of his contest at No. 5 before the overall match was decided.
Bybel finished his career as the program's all-time leader in singles wins with a record f 112-29 and in combined wins with a mark of 192-67. He also ranks third in doubles victories with a record of 80-37. The senior hopes to land his third consecutive Patriot League Player of the Year honor when the major awards are announced next week.
Players Mentioned
