Men’s tennis downs Quinnipiac, 6-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team continued its impressive roll through the Northeast Conference landscape on Saturday as the Bulldogs knocked off reigning NEC champion Quinnipiac, 6-1, in Hamden, Conn. to improve to 5-0 in the conference and 10-6 on the season.

Quinnipiac was picked to finish first in the NEC according to the 2011 preseason coaches' poll while Bryant picked up its first win over the Bobcats in program history.

The Bulldogs opened with a victory at doubles, starting with an 8-5 win from the tandem of Juan Paredes (Quito, Ecuador) and Nolan Gelman (Dix Hills, N.Y.) at the first spot. Hart Callahan (Haverford, Pa.) and Connor Crowley (London, Ontario) dropped the second spot, 8-3, but Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) and Cristian Balestrieri (Mar Del Plata, Argentina) completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory at third doubles.

Bryant continued to shine in singles competition, led by the veteran presence of Paredes and Balestrieri at the top two spots. Paredes rallied to knock off Brian Mikkelson 4-6, 6-4, 10-3 at No. 1 singles and Balestrieri captured No. 2 singles with a straight set win over Andrew Weeden, 6-3, 6-3. Callahan also added a win at the fourth spot, downing Chris Nelson in straight sets 6-3, 7-6.

With the veterans taking care of business, the rookies also stepped up with a pair of big victories as Parziale took down James Kwei 6-4, 6-0 at No. 3 singles and Gelman rolled past Alex Lazerowich 6-1, 6-0 for a win at the fifth slot.

The Black and Gold look to keep it going on Saturday, April 2 when they hit the road for a matchup against Villanova.