College Tennis
Men: Rider University 4, Delaware State University 3
Women: Delaware State University 7, Rider University 0
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Rider University men's tennis team defeated Delaware State on Sunday with the Rider women falling to the Hornets. “The key to the men's win was the doubles point,” said head coach Ed Torres. “Usually we win two of three doubles and today we won all three. The doubles play especially was excellent.”
For the Rider (1-1) men, sophomore Chris Esposito (Ocean Grove/Neptune) won a three-set thriller 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 6-1 at number five singles and teamed with sophomore Robert Olsen (Marlton/Cherokee) to win 9-7 at third doubles. Olsen won in straight sets at sixth singles 6-1, 6-2.
“Chris [Esposito] has improved a lot,” Torres said. “Today he played with confidence. Last year after losing a first set tiebreaker, the Chris of last year may not have won but with a year of experience and maturity under his belt, Chris battled back from the first set and won in straight sets after that. And if you look at the team score, we don't win without his effort. He made some really nice shots.”
“It was a great day,” said Esposito. “We came out strong, did well in doubles and then went on into my singles match. This was a big win for us. My dad calls me a three-set guy because I always seem to go three sets. I like to wear people out so if I do lose the first set, it doesn't really bother me because I've pulled out a lot of wins that way. I only lost the set by 9-7 so it wasn't by that much and you just have to stay confident and use the next set as a new start and new game.”
For the Rider (1-2) women, junior Kristina Paich (Stanhope/Lenape Valley Regional) won three games at number two singles before falling in straight sets.
“We have an advantage over last season with the experience of the team,” Torres added. “The men's team has the benefit of playing together for a year and showed that advantage today. On the women's side, they are young and by next season, this is the type of match that they will be competitive in. With only two veterans, the women need to gain that experience and practice hard to keep improving.”
Also for the Bronc men, senior Casey Jedlinski (Manalapan) won at first singles (3-6, 6-2, 6-2) and teamed with sophomore Josh Rultenberg (Lafayette Hill, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) to win 8-4 at first doubles.
The Rider women travel to Saint Joseph's on September 24 for a non-conference match at 3:00pm.
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