Men's College Tennis
Monmouth University 5, Rider University 2

LAWRENCEVILLE--Despite a win at number one singles by freshman Rollie Malfitano (Wenonah/Gloucester Catholic) and a win from junior Jeff Page (New Egypt/Jackson Memorial) at sixth singles, the Rider University men's tennis team lost to in-state rival Monmouth University on Tuesday afternoon.

"The improvement process is very slow," head coach Ed Torres said.  "You are not going to see sudden improvement from one match to the next, it is a progression.  We are winning more games and hanging in points a little better."

Malfitano won his first of the season in a three-set super tiebreaker 4-6, 6-2, 10-3.

"It is difficult for a freshman to be successful at number one singles, especially with the schedule that we play," said Torres.  "Rollie is an emotional player and he is learning that when he is ahead, he has to keep the pressure on his opponent.  He has to go for it and win those game points when he has them.  Rollie is a determined guy and a good athlete who has all of the shots."

"Monmouth is a really good team," said Malfitano who is majoring in Biology.  "It felt good to get my first win of the season against a good team like Monmouth.  I am looking to keep working hard and keep fighting."

Page, making his second collegiate start won his first match 6-3, 7-6 (11-9) in action his teammates best described as 'bananas'.

"I played pretty steady throughout my match," said Page who transferred to Rider from Ocean County Community College and is majoring in Secondary Education/History.  "I played a lot of deep shots and tried to get most of my strokes past the service line with a lot of top spin.  The win feels incredible, it feels awesome.  I was the last match of the day and my teammates were all cheering for me and I fed off that energy."

"Jeff hung in and ground out every point," Torres said.  "He did the right thing and saw his opponent couldn't rally with him.  As Monmouth took toward the net, Jeff started using his lob shot effectively and staved off at least three set points.  He did well."

Former Northeast Conference rivals, Monmouth defeated the Broncs 7-0 in West Long Branch last season.

Rider travels to Wagner on Friday for a non-conference match.

-RU-