MEN’S TENNIS ORCHESTRATES 4-3 COMEBACK VICTORY OVER SACRED HEART SATURDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Facing a one-point deficit heading into singles play, the Bryant University men's tennis team dropped five first-set matches but rallied to pull off a stellar 4-3 comeback win over Northeast Conference rival, Sacred Heart Saturday night on the campus of Yale University for the team's first victory of the spring season.

Bryant (5-4) opened the match with a loss at doubles and at one time was losing on every court during singles competition but comeback wins from senior Cristian Balestrieri (Mar Del Plata, Argentina) and freshmen Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.), Nolan Gelman (Dix Hills, N.Y.) and Vidith Huot (Providence, R.I.) vaulted the Bulldogs past the Pioneers, who were picked to finish second in the NEC in the preseason coaches' poll, and to a 3-0 record in conference play.

"This was the biggest comeback in my history as a coach," said head coach Ron Gendron. "You couldn't be down anymore than that in a tennis match and to come back from that says a lot about our guys." 

Balestrieri led the rally with a grueling, four-hour victory at No. 2 singles, battling back after dropping the first set to top Chris Ujkic, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.  

From there, the Pioneers claimed the No. 1 and No. 3 slots but a pair of Bryant freshman evened up the score as Parziale fought back for 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Cole Conrad at the fourth spot while Gelman knocked off Chadd Sullo, 6-0, 2-6, 6-2, at No. 5 singles.

With the contest knotted at 3-3, it all came down to the sixth slot as Huot rallied past Jake Miller, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to secure the Bulldog victory.    

"It was the first time a deciding match was in his hands and he came through," said Gendron about Huot. "Our freshmen won the match for us today."  

The Black and Gold look to continue their winnings ways on Friday, March 4 when they visit Hartford at the East Hartford Racquet Club. 

Bryant vs. Sacred Heart (2/26/11) at Yale

Doubles

Kasyanov/Ujkic def. Callahan/Gelman 8-6
Conrad/Syver def. Juan Paredes/Balestrieri 8-2
Chaddsullo/Mazzarese def Parziale / Hill 8-5 

Singles

Kasyanov def. Paredes 7-5, 6-2
Balestrieri def. Ujkic 2-6,6-4,6-3
Mazzarese def. Callahan 2-6,7-6(5), 5-7
Parziale def. Conrad 4-6,6-1,6-2
Gelman def. Sullo 6-0,2-6,6-2
Huot def. Miller 3-6,6-4,6-4 

Final Score
Bryant 4 Sacred Heart 3