Men's College Tennis
Rider University 6, St. Francis College-NY 1
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Broncs defeated the Terriers in a non-conference match Sunday afternoon. “Overall, we played well today,” said head coach Ed Torres. “They (St. Francis-NY) were a little short handed but their number one and number two guys were pretty good. It was a good win and we'll take them when we can get them.”
For Rider (2-4), sophomore Marc Ashed (Vineland) won at third singles 6-0, 6-0 and teamed up with sophomore Will Haight (Turnersville/Washington Township) to win at second doubles 8-0. Haight won at second singles 6-2, 6-1.
“Marc has had a very good year,” said Torres. “He has teamed with Will and won half of his doubles matches. Normally a number four singles player, Marc moved up to three today due to another player being injured and he played well. He is a nice player.”
“As a team, we've played some close matches,” said Ashed. “To get off a four-match team losing streak felt good. I played the same player that I saw in doubles and I tried to serve and volley. I knew if I put pressure on him, he wouldn't be able to pass me at the net.”
Also for the Broncs, freshman Chris Esposito (Ocean Grove, N.J./Neptune) won at fourth singles 6-0, 6-0 with senior Jim Leone (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township) also posting a 6-0, 6-0 win at fifth singles.
“Will and I are playing better as a team,” said Ashed about his doubles play with Will Haight. “More so this year than last, we know more about each other's tendencies and we can read each other. Last year we were more like two singles players on the doubles court. Now I think we are one of the better doubles teams in the MAAC.”
The men's team travels to Wagner for a non-conference match October 11.
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