Bulldogs split weekend, improve to 2-1 overall

MEN'S TENNIS FALLS TO BUFFALO, 6-1, SATURDAY, BEFORE TOPPING COLGATE, 4-3, SUNDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team opened its spring campaign with a split over the weekend, dropping a tough 6-1 decision on Saturday against Buffalo, before sneaking past Colgate, 4-3, on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs (2-1) took on Division I powerhouse, Buffalo (2-0), and despite the 6-1 defeat, put up a great fight to open up the year. The talented duo of junior Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) and freshman Max Vogt (Fair Oaks, Calif.) defeated the Buffalo pairing of Hove and Shkodnik, while sophomores Zachary Morris (Garden City, N.Y.) and Josh Rubinstein (Trumbull, Conn.) defeated Simon/Alvarez to earn the lone point for Bryant in doubles play.

In singles action, Vogt took Buffalo's Damien David to three sets, while Parziale came up just short against Sebastian Ionescu.

"Buffalo is a very strong opponent," said head coach Ron Gendron. "But I felt that we played extremely well on the road."

On Sunday, Bryant pulled out a close decision against Colgate (0-2) to earn its second win of the season. Parziale defeated Bobby Berkowitz, 7-5, 6-4, while Vogt topped Alan Pleat, 6-3, 6-3, in straight sets. Sophomore Ernesto Arguello (Managua, Nicaragua) edged Colgate's Nick Laub to earn the 3-3 split in singles play for Bryant.

In doubles action Parziale and Vogt defeated Berkowtiz/Laub, 8-5, while Morris and Rubinstein topped the duo of Pleat/Beam, 8-4, to secure the 4-3 victory for the Bulldogs.

"We were able to escape with a win against a very scrappy Colgate squad," added Gendron. "In the end, this was a great way to open the season against two quality opponents."

On the weekend, the duo of Morris and Rubinstein went unscathed, while partners Parziale and Vogt improved to a perfect 10-0 this year as a team.

The Bulldogs finished the weekend with a 2-1 overall mark, as they prepare for another tough road test at Boston College on Friday.

For all the latest news on Bryant University men's tennis, visit BryantBulldogs.com.