College Tennis

Men: Fairfield University 7, Rider University 0

Women: Fairfield University 7, Rider University 0

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match

LAWRENCEVILLE?Both the Rider University men's and women's tennis teams were swept by Fairfield in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match Friday afternoon.  “Fairfield is a very tough team,” said head coach Ed Torres.  “The Stags and Marist are probably the two top teams in the conference.”

For the Rider men, senior Casey Jedlinski (Manalapan) won eight games but lost at first singles 6-4, 6-4. 

“Casey struggled with his serve today,” said Torres.  “Usually he is much better but he only got in about 50-55 percent of his first serves and that affected his whole game.  He had some uncharacteristic double faults.”

Jedlinski (10-4) entered the match with nine wins in his last 10 outings.

For the Rider women, junior Kristina Paich (Stanhope/Lenape Valley Regional) won six games at number two singles before falling 7-5, 6-1.

“Kristina played well in the first set and almost won the tie breaker,” Torres said.  “After losing the first set, she just couldn't recover.”

The match was played in front of almost 200 fans as part of ?Code Cranberry' day for the tennis teams.  Code Cranberry is an initiative where fellow student-athletes at Rider come out and support the other teams when they are not otherwise in class or at a competition.

“The crowd was nice and I wish we would get that at every match,” Torres added.  “The players on the team appreciated the support and I wish we would have put on a little better of a show.”

The Broncs travel to Coppin State on Sunday for a non-conference match.

-RU-