Bronx, NY | The College of Staten Island men’s tennis team avoided its first 0-3 start in CUNYAC play in over a decade, fending off Lehman College by a 6-3 count as part of conference play at the Apex Tennis Courts. Playing in their first outdoor match since March 17, the Dolphins improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the CUNYAC, while Lehman fell to 3-4, 0-4, respectively.
Play began with doubles and the Dolphins got off to a good start. The team of David Luo and Tao Lin in the no. 3 spot were extremely effective, posting an 8-1 win in their set. Lehman was able to strike back with a win in the pole position, as Jason Strudwick and Richard Williams were able to take down CSI’s Andrew Adia and Alex Tsui. In a crucial spot at No. 2, CSI’s duo of Raymond Hwang and Matthew Vesci went back-and-forth with LC’s Michael Forte and Wan Sik Park, and in the end the Dolphins were able to break serve and use the momentum for an 8-4 win, giving CSI a nice spark before Singles play.
Needing only a split of singles from there, CSI went one better, posting four wins. Adia posted a win at No. 3 over Williams in a well-contested, 6-4, 6-4, final. One notch lower, it was Vesci who managed a 6-4, 6-2, win over Park. The clincher came at No. 5, where freshman Luo proved too much for Loannis Vasos, 6-0, 6-4. CSI had the match already in hand when Matthew Kotlyar was able win a pro-set match against Arman Hassain in the No. 6 spot, 8-1.
In perhaps the most competitive Singles match this afternoon, CSI’s Hwang fell at No. 1 to LC’s Forte, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
CSI will get back underway on Monday, when they will try for the fourth time to open up their season at home when they host Brooklyn College at 4pm. CSI has had its three past home openers spoiled due to weather.
