MEN'S TENNIS SHOCKS STONY BROOK

Bulldogs Host Brandeis Tuesday (2 pm) for Senior Day

Playing away from home for the 14th time this season, and the ninth weekend in-a-row, the Bryant University men's tennis came through with arguably the program's biggest victory since moving to Division I with a 4-3 win at Stony Brook University Sunday afternoon.

A day after defeating Hostra 5-2 on Long Island, the Bulldogs set the tone early in Sunday's match against the Seawolves.  In each of the team's last three victories (Villanova, Monmouth, and Hofstra), the Bulldogs dropped the doubles point to start the match. 

But on Sunday, the Bryant turned the tables and dominated doubles play right away, sweeping all three matches led by freshman Nolan Gelman (Dix Hills, NY) and Peter Hart Callahan (Haverford, Pa.) who knocked off Roope Kailaheimo and Ivan Rummel at No.1 doubles, 8-4.

The Canadian Duo of Nicholai Hill (Ottawa, Ontario) and Connor Crowley (London, Ontario) followed with a win at No. 2 doubles and senior Cristian Balestrieri (Mar Del Plata, Argentina) and freshman Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) wrapped things up with a solid 8-5 win at No. 3.

The point would prove huge as the two teams would split singles play but give Bryant a 4-3 overall victory. 

Balestrieri, who has been red-hot as of late, earned a solid 6-4, 7-5 straight-set victory over SBU's Nikita Fomin at No. 1 singles. The freshmen combo of Parziale and Gelmen rounded things out with wins at No. 3 and No. 4 singles respectively. 

Parziale blanked Francesco Arciuli 6-0 in the opening set, but Arciuli came back to win 7-5 in the second.  But the Bulldog freshman had too much for Arciuli, pulling out a 6-4 win in the third to improve to 18-7 overall on the year, 14-6 in dual matches in his first season.

Gelman opened strong as well against Kailaheimo at No. 4 singles, defeating the sophomore from Finland 6-3 in the opener.  But after Kailaheimo bounced back with a 6-2 win in the third, Gelman saved his best stuff for last, earning a 6-3 win in the third as the freshman improved his record to 13-4 overall on the season.

 "For our team to have this much success on the road after a grueling nine weeks of playing away from our home courts, is a testament to the effort and determination of our team," said a pleased head coach Ron Gendron. "Our guys just refuse to yield to anyone.  It's be a great season."  

Bryant (14-6), will conclude the 2010-11 season this Tuesday hosting Brandeis University for Senior Day at the Bryant Tennis Courts starting at 2 pm.  The Bulldogs will honor seniors Balestrieri, Hill and Callahan prior to the match.

Bryant University 4, Stony Brook 3 @ Stony Brook, N.Y.

Singles competition

1. Cristian Balestrieri (BRYM) def. Nikita Fomin (SBU) 6-4, 7-5
2. Ivan Rummel (SBU) def. Peter Hart Callahan (BRYM) 6-1, 6-3
3. Dana Parziale (BRYM) def. Francesco Arciuli (SBU) 6-0, 5-7, 6-4
4. Nolan Gelman (BRYM) def. Roope Kailaheimo (SBU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
5. Ryan Schmitz (SBU) def. Nicholai Hill (BRYM) 6-2, 6-4
6. Max Sztabholz (SBU) def. Connor Crowley (BRYM) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Nolan Gelman/Peter Hart Callahan (BRYM) def. Roope Kailaheimo/Ivan Rummel (SBU) 8-4
2. Nicholai Hill/Connor Crowley (BRYM) def. Francesco Arciuli/Nikita Fomin (SBU) 8-3
3. Cristian Balestrieri/Dana Parziale (BRYM) def. Ryan Schmitz/Max Sztabholz (SBU) 8-5