Bulldogs open spring season with first-ever win over Binghamton, 4-3
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team opened championship season with their first-ever win over Binghamton, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon.
"It was a solid team win, said head coach Ron Gendron. "It's not every day a NEC team knocks off a regionally ranked opponent."
The Bulldogs captured the doubles point, winning at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, as Matt Kuhar (Smithfield, R.I.) and Jorge Ortiz-Garcia (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico) played their way to a 7-6 victory, while Josh Kliger (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Jorge Isaias Ortiz-Garcia (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico) dominated in No. 3 doubles, 6-4.
"The night belonged to Matt and Jorge," said Gendon. "A No. 1 doubles win against a great team established them as one of the premier doubles teams in the region. Not to be overlooked, Jorge [Isaias Ortiz-Garcia] and Josh Kliger got the ball rolling with a solid outing at No. 3 doubles."
After sitting out last season due to injury, Kuhar returned to the No. 1 singles slot, taking down Ludovico Cestarollo, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6. Binghamton found victories at No. 2, 3 and 4 singles, before Bryant won at No. 5 and 6 singles to capture the road victory.
At No. 5 singles, Ortiz-Garcia defeated Inigo Saez in three, defeating him 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. After losing the first game, 4-6, senior Oliver Welsh (San Diego, Calif.) bounced back to overcome Josh Druger, 6-2, 6-4.
"Matt had a thrilling comeback at No. 1 singles that give Jorge and Oliver a chance to secure the match," said Gendron. "It doesn't get more exciting than that."
"It was rewarding to beat a well-coached team that has eluded us for so long," said Gendron. "But it's back to work as we get ready for another big weekend."