The University at Buffalo men’s tennis team split up its group this past weekend sending competitors to two separate tournaments.

Most of the team went to the Binghamton Invitational, which was capped off with a pair of singles championships. Freshman Hao Sheng Koay won the Green Singles Draw as he won three matches in straight sets after a first round bye.  The last victory came against Tiago Lourenco from Binghamton, 7-5, 6-3.  Sophomore Ethan Nittolo won two of his three matches on the weekend as well.

In the White Singles Draw, freshman Villhelm Fridell won three matches on his way to the championship, including a 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 win over Aleksa Petrovic of NJIT.

In doubles action, Nittolo and Koay went 2-1 in the Green Doubles draw, while Fridell and freshman Konstantinos Tsakiris won a pair of matches in the consolation bracket.

“This was a great weekend in Binghamton, said head coach Lee Nickell. “Our fight and ability to compete carried us to two flight victories. Our young players are doing a great job on focusing on the present, and I couldn’t be happier with our effort. We have a lot to work on with three weeks off, and we will look to get fitter and stronger in our time off.”

The Bulls also sent freshman Filip Grbic and junior Petr Vodak to Princeton for the Ivy-Plus Invitational.  As a double duo, they picked up a win in the consolation bracket of the Pagoda Draw, 8-4 over a pair from Marist. Vodak played in the Tiger Draw in singles action, defeating Max Fliegner of Dartmouth, 7-5, 6-2.

Grbic played singles in the Nassau Draw and he won he first match in the consolation bracket against Jack Haworth of Brown, 6-1, 7-6 (2).

“I think this is exactly what these two new guys needed to see,” said associate head coach Matt Lucas, who accompanied the duo to Princeton. “This is probably the best tournament in the NE region for the fall level wise, and it was great to get a stiff test early on.  Petr and Filip grew with each match and began playing some good ball.   We saw where our games were exposed and they are anxious to get back to Buffalo and start working on those areas in preparation for the ITA Regionals in 3 weeks. This was Petr first and Filip second college event and they now know the intensity and competitiveness the best guys play with. Hopefully that sinks in and they can match that level, combined with their abilities I am excited to see the impact these guys can have on our program”

The Bulls will now be off until the ITA Regionals, which will take place in Philadelphia beginning on Oct. 20.

from UBBulls.com via IFTTT




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