Men's Tennis Tops Southern NH, 6-3, in Clash of NE10 Unbeatens
NORTH ANDOVER, MA- In a battle between two of the three teams atop the Northeast-10 standings, the Merrimack men's tennis team downed Southern NH 6-3 Saturday afternoon. The Warriors escalate to 12-7 on the year move into a two-way tie for first in the league standings with Bentley at 8-0. The Penmen sink to 9-7 overall and 8-1 in the conference with the loss.
"This was an extremely important match for us against one of the top teams in the conference," said head coach Sean Tully. "I was really pleased with our effort and how we battled all day. We have three crucial matches ahead of us and we need to be sure to finish strong."
Merrimack held a 2-1 lead at the end of doubles play. The Warriors' top duo of Max Eppley (Malaga, Spain) and Sean Pahler (Rumson, NJ) suffered an 8-5 loss. Vince Bellino (Amesbury, MA) and Chris Barnhart (Longmeadow, MA) coasted to an 8-1 victory at the No. 2 position. Petar Golijanin (Novi Sad, Serbia) and Chris Toegemann (Narragansett, RI) prevailed 9-7 at the third slot.
The hosts captured four singles wins to remain unbeaten in Northeast-10 matches this season.
At the third singles spot, Golijanin triumphed in a three-set thriller as he won a first-set tiebreaker before dropping the second 6-4 and winning a third-set super-tiebreaker 10-5. Bellino picked up a 6-2, 6-3 victory at the No. 4 position. Pahler rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win at the No. 5 slot while Toegemann earned a 6-4, 6-1 victory at the sixth spot.
Eppley fell 7-5, 7-5 at the No. 2 position and Barnhart dropped a 6-3, 6-0 decision at the top slot.
Merrimack remains at home as it hosts American International April 11 in the final home match of the regular season.
RESULTS
Doubles
1. Campo/Mukdaprakorn (SNH) def. Eppley/Pahler (MER) 8-5
2. Bellino/Barnhart (MER) def. Dobek/Wallace (SNH) 8-1
3. Golijanin/Toegemann (MER) def. Niland/Hamilton (SNH) 9-7
Singles
1. Dobek (SNH) def. Barnhart (MER) 6-3, 6-0
2. Campo (SNH) def. Eppley (MER) 7-5, 7-5
3. Golijanin (MER) def. Mukdaprakorn (SNH) 7-6 (3), 4-6, 10-5
4. Bellino (MER) def. Wallace (SNH) 6-2, 6-3
5. Pahler (MER) def. Wright (SNH) 6-0, 6-1
6. Toegemann (MER) def. Malenich (SNH) 6-4, 6-1
