Men's tennis takes down rival Sacred Heart
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – For the second time in as many weeks, the Bryant University men's tennis team pulled off the upset win over Northeast Conference rival Sacred Heart as the Bulldogs capped off their Spring Break trip with a 4-3 victory Thursday in Puerto Rico.
The Bulldogs started off strong in doubles competition as the tandem of Juan Paredes (Quito, Ecuador) and Nolan Gelman (Dix Hills, N.Y.) knocked off the team of Karill Kasyanov and Chris Ujkic, 8-4. The duo of Hart Callahan (Malvern, Pa.) and Connor Crowley (London, Ontario) then claimed second doubles, 8-4, while the third team of Cristian Balestrieri (Mar Del Plata, Argentina) and Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) made it a clean sweep with an 8-5 win to pick up the point.
In singles play, Balestrieri downed Ujkic 6-4, 6-4, at the No. 2 spot while Gelman knocked off Cole Conrad in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 for the victory at the fourth slot.
Parziale continued his impressive rookie campaign with a thrilling match with Nick Mazzarese at No. 3 singles as the North Carolina native opened the bout with a 6-4 win in the first set. The freshman dropped the second set, 2-6, but rebounded with a 6-3 victory in the third to claim the match and give the Bulldogs a strong end to their trip in Puerto Rico.
The Black and Gold return to action on Saturday, March 19 when they play Hofstra at the East Hartford Racquet Club.
Bryant University 4, Sacred Heart 3
Singles competition
1. Kirill Kasyanov (SHU) def. Juan Paredes (BRYM) 7-5, 6-0
2. Cristian Balestrieri (BRYM) def. Chris Ujkic (SHU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Dana Parziale (BRYM) def. Nick Mazzarese (SHU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
4. Michael Syver (SHU) def. Peter Hart Callahan (BRYM) 6-3, 7-4
5. Nolan Gelman (BRYM) def. Cole Conrad (SHU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Chadd Sullo (SHU) def. Nicholai Hill (BRYM) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Juan Paredes/Nolan Gelman (BRYM) def. Kirill Kasyanov/Chris Ujkic (SHU) 8-4
2. Peter Hart Callahan/Connor Crowley (BRYM) def. Cole Conrad/Michael Syver (SHU) 8-4
3. Cristian Balestrieri/Dana Parziale (BRYM) def. Jacob Miller/Nick Mazzarese (SHU) 8-5