Men's Tennis
April 5, 2008
GARDINER COMES THROUGH AS MEN'S TENNIS WINS
SMITHFIELD, RI - Entering the week with the school's first-ever national ranking and number three regional ranking, the Bryant men's tennis team knew that Saturday's match against Queens was going to be one of the toughest of the year. The Knights came in ranked No. 6 in the region and looking to move up. But behind the stellar play of Kevin Gardiner, the Bulldogs pulled out a dramatic 5-4 win to move to 12-3 on the season.
The Bulldogs led 2-1 after opening with a pair of doubles victories, but Queens would rally to tie the match at 4-4 with wins at No. 2, No. 3, and Nov. 6 singles. Captain Craig Drushella nearly gave the Bulldogs the win but the senior from Harwich, MA fell in a tough three-set match against Ariel Nassin.
But for the Bulldogs, Gardiner was there to come through with one of the best clutch performances. Battling Robby Schueing at No. 5 singles, Gardiner dropped a 7-5 decision in the opening game, but drew even with a 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker) win in the second. In the third Gardiner held on for a 10-6 win and giving the Bulldogs the big victory.
Tennis Match Results
Queens College vs Bryant University
Apr 05, 2008 at Smithfield, RI
#45 Bryant University 5, Queens College 4
Singles competition
1. Cristian Balestrieri (BRYANT) def. Marcelo Kim (QC) 6-0, 6-0
2. Fabio Minami (QC) def. Jose Rodriguez (BRYANT) 6-1, 6-3
3. David Burstein (QC) def. Thomas Nowak (BRYANT) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
4. Dylan Whiting (BRYANT) def. Taylor Crabill (QC) 6-4, 6-4
5. Kevin Gardiner (BRYANT) def. Robby Scheuing (QC) 5-7, 7-6 (7-5),
1-0 (10-6)
6. Ariel Nassin (QC) def. Craig Drushella (BRYANT) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Cristian Balestrieri/Kevin Gardiner (BRYANT) def. Marcelo
Kim/Taylor Crabill (QC) 8-3
2. Fabio Minami/David Burstein (QC) def. Jose Rodriguez/Thomas
Nowak (BRYANT) 8-3
3. Dylan Whiting/Matt Sheppard-Lupo (BRYANT) def. Robby
Scheuing/Ariel Nassin (QC) 8-5
