College Tennis
Men: Siena College 7, Rider University 0
Women: Siena College 6, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Match
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y.–The Rider University men's and women's tennis teams were unable to overcome Siena on the road, with both teams losing to the Saints. The men lost 7-1 while the women fell 6-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference competition.
“You can't tell by the scores, but they weren't a lot better than we were,” head coach Ed Torres said. “They were a bit more experienced and kept the ball alive a little longer. As always, whoever makes the most errors in a tennis match is going to lose, and we made a few more errors than them.”
For the men, senior Rollie Malfitano (Wenonah/Gloucester Catholic) lost at first singles 6-2, 6-4.
“Rollie did well, he always does well against these guys,” Torres said about the senior. “Rollie sometimes tries to go for the point to early. You have to wait for the ball to do that with to make the big shot. You have to be patient, but he did well. Rollie is a very athletic guy who is all over the court and he has a lot of different shots. He has more variety than any other guy on the team.”
Freshman Chanton Phan (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) lost at second singles 6-1, 6-1 while senior Nick Lubold (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley) dropped his match at third singles 6-3, 6-0.
Senior Sean Sweeny (Franklinville/Delsea Regional), senior Kyle Stratton (Stratford, N.J./Sterling) and freshman Adam Levi (Princeton Junction/Pennington School) also lost at fourth, fifth and sixth singles. Sweeny lost 6-1, 6-1 while Stratton lost 6-0, 6-0. Levi dropped his match 6-2, 6-3.
The men didn't fare much better in doubles play, as Malfitano and Lubold dropped the first doubles match 8-3. The teams of Phan and Levi and Sweeny and Stratton also lost their matches 8-0.
“When you practice, you can't play points,” Torres said about how his team will on improving their errors after todays defeat. “You just need to keep the ball in play, rally and keep the ball going back and forth. Of course when you play points the pressure is on you, but you just have to keep the ball as alive as possible and see if you can hit 50 shots over in a row, that way you can steady your game.”
On the women's side, Rider was able to secure a win at first singles to start the day in a positive direction for the Broncs.
Junior Alison Noll (Monmouth Junction/South Brunswick) won 6-1, 6-1.
“Alison played her usual non-error game,” Torres said. “She kept the ball alive and she can place it. On her forehand and backhand, she has the ability to place the ball any place she wants. She has the rare ability of not making errors on her forehand or backhand, and not just hitting it back, but hitting it back where she wants it to go. She is a very tough person to beat. To beat her, you better be a very good, experienced player.”
Unfortunately that was the only win the women's side was able to grab.
Junior Michelle Caravaglio (Manalapan/Freehold) lost at second singles 6-3, 6-3 while freshman Kerrin Toner (West Babylon, N.Y.) lost by a final of 6-1, 6-0.
Freshman Alexandria Extrjt (Winnie, Texas/East Chambers) dropped a 6-1, 6-0 decision while senior Kim Leder (Sicklerville/Timber Creek) lost 6-2, 6-0. Junior Leonora Paul also lost 6-1, 6-0.
Rider lost the three doubles matches of the day. Noll and Toner lost 8-2 while Caravaglio and Extrjt lost 8-2. Paul and freshman Gina Ellen also lost 8-2.
The women's team travels to face Wagner on Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. The men's side hosts Queens College on Oct. 6 at 12 p.m.
“We played them last year,” Torres said about the men's side taking on Queens College. “Last year, they beat us in Queens. They had some international players last year and I hope that we can give them a better match this year. We will have at least three freshmen in our starting lineup, so we will be the underdog. We will give it our best.”
“I predict it is going to be a close match,” Torres said about the women's chances against Wagner. “I think the players on both teams matchup well.”
-RU-
