Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Monmouth
Men's Tennis Defeats Saint Francis, Falls to Monmouth on Opening Day
3/6/2021 11:48:00 PM | Men's Tennis
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Bucknell men's tennis team concluded its first day of the 2021 spring season on a high note, defeating Saint Francis 5-2 to collect its first win after nearly a year without competition Saturday evening. The Bison collected four singles victories and won all three doubles matchups to move to 1-1 on the season. Bucknell fell 5-2 against Monmouth earlier in the day.
"We definitely were rusty in the first match. Credit to Monmouth for playing a solid match," said head coach Bruce Myers. "We played better in the Saint Francis match, but have a lot to work on this week to prepare for next weekend's matches."
Bucknell 5, Saint Francis 2
Bucknell won four singles matchups and swept the Red Flash in doubles in a winning effort Saturday evening. It began with sophomore Michael Owen filling in on court one and defeating Saint Francis senior Sebastian Pinos 7-6 (5), 6-4. Owen's win was followed up by victories at No. 3 and No. 4 by sophomore Nick Mueller and rookie Tim Zelikovsky, who both earned their first career victories in the Orange & Blue.
Senior Sam Yildirimlar picked up the other singles point for the Bison, winning 6-1, 7-5 against senior Samuel Ghigiarelli.
"Congrats to Tim for his first college win, and Nick for his first Bucknell win. It was a nice job by Sam stepping in and clinching the Saint Francis match," said Myers.
Bucknell's doubles tandems did their part to lead the Bison to victory. Bucknell's best returning duo of Cooper Bradshaw and Owen won their No. 1 doubles matchup 6-3, followed by a 7-6 win for Mueller and Yildirimlar at No. 2, and Guillermo Torres and Zelikovsky earned a 6-4 win at No. 3 doubles.
Bucknell 2, Monmouth 5
Bucknell won the doubles point in the first match of the day as well, with Owen and Bradshaw going 2-0 on the day in the top spot. At No. 2 Mueller and senior Marwan Abaza won 6-3.
Abaza was also strong in his only singles match of the day. The Boca Raton, Fla. native captured a hard-fought 5-7, 7-5, 10-6 win over Monmouth junior Lucca Silva in a gutsy effort at No. 1. Both Bradshaw and Owen reached three sets as well, but suffered tough losses.
Bucknell returns to play next weekend for a Sunday home match against NJIT.
Players Mentioned
