Men's College Tennis
Fordham University 5, Rider University 2
LAWRENCEVILLE--Despite winning the doubles point and despite the first career win for freshman Greg Anastasio (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington) at first singles, the Rider University men's tennis team lost to Fordham on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference match.
"When we win the doubles point we usually win the match," head coach Ed Torres said. "Everyone was playing up a spot due to an injury so that affected things a little bit. That's not an excuse but it is hard not to have the matchups that you normally would have had."
Anastasio won for the first time in five singles matches, all at the number one spot in the lineup, 6-7 (3), 6-3 and 10-7 in the 10-point third set tiebreaker.
"The player Greg faced is a terrific player," Torres said. "It was a nice win for him. Greg is getting better and better and is getting used to the collegiate game. Being the number one player as a rookie for a Division I school is not an easy task."
"It was a really tough match," said Anastasio, who is majoring in Political Science at Rider. "My opponent had a big serve and I had to mix up my returns. I went up early and by a lot in the third set tiebreaker and that helped me get through it. It feels great to get my first win, it is like getting a monkey off your back. In high school, I didn't lose too much so to finally get my first win in college and to do it in a third set situation is a confidence booster. It feels really good. Losing the first four matches was a humbling experience. You are facing competition, some of which has been playing year round for their whole lives, and going through the early adversity has helped me to become a better player."
Also for Rider, senior Will Haight (Sewell/Washington Township) teamed with senior Marc Ashed (Vineland) for an 8-4 win at number one singles with freshman Milo Milosovici (Florence) teaming with fellow rookie Aaron Greene (New Hampton, N.Y./Minisink Valley) to clinch the doubles point with an 8-6 win at third doubles.
The Rams defeated the Broncs in the Bronx last season, also by a 5-2 score.
Rider (1-4) travels to Saint Peter's for a MAAC-match on Thursday.
-RU-
