CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Rider University men's tennis team was defeated in its first-ever NCAA Tournament match Friday afternoon, falling to fifth-ranked and number four national seed Virginia, 4-0. The Broncs end the season with a record of 12-8, while the Cavaliers move on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament at 23-4.
In doubles play, the Broncs were led by
Matteus Froberg Dahlin and
Cole Thurgur. The duo was leading the top doubles team from Virginia, who was ranked 12
th in the country 5-3 when play was halted.
Heath Paul Waters and
Ibragim Turgambekov were defeated 6-2 at second doubles and
Roger Martinez and
Axel Engstrom combined for a 6-2 setback at number three.
In singles play, Waters was Rider's top performer, falling in set one 6-3, before leading by a break in set two, 5-3, over the nation's 58
th ranked player when the match concluded. Thurgur matched up with nation's number one ranked player, and fought to a tough 6-2, 6-4 setback. At number two, Froberg Dahlin was defeated 6-0, 6-2 by the 21
st ranked player in the nation.
Nathan Slattery was defeated at number five 6-1, 6-1. Engstrom was behind 6-1, 5-2 at number five, and
Matthew Griscti started strong, going up 3-2 in set one at number six, but was behind 6-3, 5-1 when play stopped.
Quotes and Notes
"It was important to come out and show we could play in doubles, and first doubles really showed how far we've come, almost taking down the team that won ITA nationals and is ranked 12
th. It showed Virginia that we are a tough team, and in single we went out there and kept matches close, and we were close to taking a couple of sets. The energy was there, we stood toe-to-toe with the fifth-ranked team in the nation, and I was proud of the effort."
– Head Coach Tim Koch
- The Broncs were making their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament after winning the MAAC title for the first time in program history Sunday.
