Cristian Balestrieri (Athletic Communications Photo)

Posted: Apr 03, 2011

BULLDOGS CLINCH NEC REGULAR SEASON

Bulldogs defeat Monmouth 4-3 Sunday to improve to 6-0 in NEC

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis clinched the 2011 Northeast Conference regular season title with a 4-3 victory over Monmouth University Sunday in West Long Branch, N.J.

Bryant, now 12-6 overall and undefeated in NEC play with a 6-0 mark, needed another come-from-behind surge to pull out the victory. Just as they did Saturday in the win against Villanova, the Bulldogs battled back after dropping the doubles point to open the match against the Hawks.

But in singles play, freshmen Nolan Gelman and Connor Crowley pulled out wins at No. 4 and No. 6 singles while Ottawa, Canada native Nicholai Hill reached back and earned a tough 6-4, 7-5 win for Bryant at No. 5 singles.

With the match tied 3-3, senior Cristian Balestrieri came through in the clutch, delivering a big 7-5, 7-6 victory at No. 1 singles play, winning the match 11-9 in the tiebreaker.

Bryant returns to action next weekend with a trip to Hofstra and Stony Brook.

April 3, 2011 - Bryant 4, Monmouth 3

1. Cristian Balestrieri (BU) def. Heads (MU), 7-5, 7-6 (11-9)
2. Svbasic (MU) def. Peter Hart Callahan (BU), 6-4, 6-7, 6-0
3. Bhalla (MU) def. Dana Parziale (BU), 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
4. Nolan Gelman (BU) def. Sherwood (MU), 6-3, 6-2
5. Nicholai Hill (BU) def. Terpilowski (MU), 6-4, 7-5
6. Connor Crowley (BU) def. Suboleski (MU), 6-2, 6-4

1. Heads/Terpilowski (MU) def. Callahan/Crowley (BU), 9-7
2. Bhalla/Sherwood (MU) def. Balestrieri / Parziale (BU), 8-1
3. Suboleski/Svbasic (MU) def. Gleman / Hll (BU), 9-8