Parziale top rookie in NEC

Bryant's Dana Parziale Named Northeast Conference Rookie of Year

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University newcomer Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) had a remarkable first season as a member of the Bulldogs' men's tennis team, and on Wednesday, the success he had on the court was recognized as he was named the NEC Rookie of the Year for 2011. 

Parziale, a freshman, went 19-7 overall in his first season at Bryant, including a 15-6 record in dual matches and 4-1 mark against NEC opponents. He finished the year 10-3 at third flight singles for which he was also named second team all-conference.

The Bulldogs, 15-6 overall in only their third year competing at the Division I level, placed two others on the 2011 all-conference first team and earned first team doubles honors as well. 

Senior Cristian Balestrieri (Mar Del Plata, Argentina) capped off his remarkable career earning first team all-NEC at No. 2 singles. Balestrieri was 17-8 overall including 10-3 at No. 2 singles on the season. With a late change to the lineup, Balestrieri moved up to the No. 1 singles and continued to excel.  He won his last four matches at the top spot including a huge win over Stony Brook's Nikita Fomin. Overall, he won six of his last seven matches and nine of his last 10.

He was 5-1 against NEC teams, including two wins over Sacred Heart and a straight-set win over Quinnipiac's Andrew Weeden. 

Joining Balestrieri on the first team all-conference squad was freshman Nolan Gelman (Dix Hills, N.Y.) who was 14-4 overall on the year and a perfect 6-0 against conference opponents. 

Gelman and senior Juan Martin Paredes (Quito, Ecuador) were recognized for outstanding doubles play with a first team all-conference selection at No. 1 singles. The tandem posted a 3-3 record together including 2-0 against the NEC.