LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ –
Javier Melendez (Cayey, PR/Colegio La Merced) earned a straight-sets victory at No. 2 singles, but the Rider University men's tennis team fell to Wagner, 6-1, Tuesday afternoon. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 0-4 on the season, while the Seahawks won their first dual match of the year to improve to 1-0.
The Seahawks made quick work of the Broncs in securing the doubles point, dropping no more than two games in any of the three matches. Melendez took a 6-4, 6-4, victory over Hans Ohrner at No. 2, but the Seahawks claimed the remaining five singles flights to wrap up the 6-1 match win.
"This has to be Wagner's strongest team in the last few years," said Rider Head Coach Doug Potkay. "Javier keeps getting better with every match. I was pleased with the players' performance in the second sets. They adjusted their game plan and attacked more in the second sets."
Diego Delgado (Lara, Venezuela/Colegio Rioclaro) and
Brandon Gildea (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) were both competitive in their second sets, nearly forcing a third. But Delgado fell to Eric Poland, 6-4, at No. 4, while Gildea was edged by Siddharth Anand, 7-5.
Rider returns to action Thursday, when it plays host to Quinnipiac. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Wagner 6, Rider University 1
Singles competition
1. Walters, Dylan (WAGNER-M) def. Payano Almonte, Lysa (RID-M) 6-2, 6-4
2. Melendez, Javier (RID-M) def. Ohrner, Hans (WAGNER-M) 6-4, 6-4
3. Sandy, Dale (WAGNER-M) def. Van Herwarde, Jeremy (RID-M) 6-1, 6-2
4. Poland, Eric (WAGNER-M) def. Delgado, Diego (RID-M) 6-0, 6-4
5. Boyd, Charlton (WAGNER-M) def. Clark, Griffin (RID-M) 6-2, 6-2
6. Anand, Siddharth (WAGNER-M) def. Gildea, Brandon (RID-M) 6-1, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Walters, Dylan/Sandy, Dale (WAGNER-M) def. Melendez, Javier/Payano Almonte, Lysa (RID-M) 6-2
2. Poland, Eric/Ohrner, Hans (WAGNER-M) def. Clark, Griffin/Gildea, Brandon (RID-M) 6-1
3. Kneppelhout, Ilya/Lashkul, Anatoliy (WAGNER-M) def. Delgado, Diego/Van Herwarde, Jeremy (RID-M) 6-0
Match Notes:
Wagner 1-0
Rider University 0-4
