Five Bulldogs reach semis in four flight event

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team had an impressive showing over the weekend at the UConn Invitational, including an all-Bryant singles final, with Oliver Welsh (San Diego, Calif.) beating Artur Jakubowski (Dallas, Texas) in the South bracket.

Welsh played his way through the South Singles bracket, winning all his matchups in two games, before winning the flight in three games. Jakubowski worked his way through the other side of the bracket, defeating opponents from Bentley and Merrimack, before beating teammate Luke Lorenz (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in the semifinals. Jakubowski went on to face another teammate in Welsh in the finals, losing 4-6, 6-2 and 10-7.

In the East Singles bracket, freshman Scott Plutt (Weston, Fla.) defeated Hank Hill (UConn), 3-6, 6-0 and 10-7 in the semifinals, before falling in the finals to Arnaud Valentin (UConn), 6-3 and 6-2.

Classmate Michael Plutt (Weston, Fla.) battled his way past opponents from Bentley and Quinnipiac, making his way into the semifinals, where he lost to Jonathon Edwards (UConn), 6-4, 6-7 (4) and 10-7.

The Black and Gold had a pair of doubles teams make it to the semifinals. The duo of John Templeman (Midland, Mich.) and Nick Lamart (Raleigh, NC) beat pairs from UConn and Sacred Heart, before being defeated by a team from Quinnipiac, 6-1 in the semis. Lorenz and Michael Plutt also made the doubles semifinals, defeating twosomes from Hartford and UConn, before falling to the pair of Spreyer/Toner (UConn), 7-6 (4).

"It was a good showing at UConn," said Bulldogs' Head Coach Ron Gendron. "We had five players reach semis in a four flight event. We won one flight.  Brilliant play by Oliver Welch.  Having three freshman reach semis is an amazing feat.  We have a lot to look forward too." 

The Bulldogs continue fall play, hosting the Bryant-BC-Marist Trifecta, beginning Friday, October 2nd.