POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist men's tennis team celebrated senior night with a win, defeating the Niagara Purple Eagles, 4-0, in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match Saturday evening. The match which was originally slated to be played outdoors was moved inside due to cold and windy conditions. With the win the Red Foxes improved to 10-3 overall and earned their second conference match of the season, moving to 2-0.
“The weather is playing havoc with our schedule, however I like the way the guys are competing all the way through the lineup,” head coach Tim Smith said. “If we can get Timo and Jan in the place where they need to be, we're going to be tough to beat in the MAAC. Doubles seem to be peaking at the right time and I'm looking forward to the matches the next two weeks.”
Doubles ruled the day in dominant fashion as the Red Foxes won convincingly at all three positions. Rudolf Kurz and Dylan Fletcher teamed up to defeat Brent Boreslav and Joseph Smithyman, 6-1. Justin Chanthalangsy and Paulo Siracusa then won their match, 6-1 over Chris Grossi and Mark Mackowski.
The senior pairing of Joseph Motta and Fredrik Bjerke then closed out Niagara's Francis Nadeau and Felipe Fuentes, 6-2.
The Red Foxes also ran away with the singles matches as Chanthalangsy handled his match, winning in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3 and Bjerke took care of business winning 6-3, 6-0.
Rudolf Kurz clinched the match for the Red Foxes against a tough opponent in Niagara's Fuentes. Every time Kurz was seemingly in control Fuentes fought back and tested the Red Foxes number one player. Kurz eventually prevailed, winning the match, 6-2, 6-3.
“The atmosphere was very enjoyable on this senior day,” said Jan Dernic. “We had great support from our friends and family. I'd really like to congratulate the players on how they competed today.”
The Red Foxes return to action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to take on the Siena Saints. Time of the match will be determined early tomorrow.
Doubles
Full Results
1. Joe Motta/Fredrik Bjerke (MARM) def. Nadeau, Francis/Fuentes, Felipe (NIAM) 6-2
2. Rudolf Kurz/Dylan Fletcher (MARM) def. Boleslav, Brent/Smithyman, Joseph (NIAM) 6-1
3. Justin Chanthalangsy/Paulo Siracusa (MARM) def. Grossi, Chris/Mackowski, Mark (NIAM) 6-1
Singles
1. Rudolf Kurz (MARM) def. Fuentes, Felipe (NIAM) 6-2, 6-3
2. Justin Chanthalangsy (MARM) def. Boleslav, Brent (NIAM) 6-0, 6-3
3. Fredrik Bjerke (MARM) def. Nadeau, Francis (NIAM) 6-3, 6-0
4. Timo Tanzer (MARM) vs. Smithyman, Joseph (NIAM) 5-0, unfinished
5. Jan Dernic (MARM) vs. Grossi, Chris (NIAM) 6-0, unfinished
