Bulldogs dominate Engineers in head to head match Saturday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team nearly swept RPI, 14-1, in Saturday's dual match in Smithfield.

"RPI is well coached and every player came prepared," said Bulldogs' head coach Ron Gendron. "The scores do not reflect how competitive RPI was. They played well." In this case, the scores did demonstrate a strong Bryant showing from a multitude of players.

The Bulldogs defeated the Engineers in all 10 singles matches, including a standout performance from senior Max Vogt (Fair Oaks, Calif.), who defeated RPI's McKinley Grimes, 6-1, 6-3.

Freshmen Michael Plutt (Weston, Fla.) and Scott Plutt (Weston, Fla.) both notched singles victories. Scott Plutt trumped Alain Grullon Gonzalez, 6-4, 7-6 (4).  Michael Plutt beat Stephen Baxter, 6-1, 6-1, while also winning his doubles match, 6-4, 4-6, 10-2, alongside partner Luke Lorenz (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

Junior Joe Sterrey (Newnan, Ga.) dominated in his match, topping Suryansh Patel, 6-2, 6-2.

"We got the chance to play a lot of guys in this extended format," said Gendron.  "Senior Max Vogt and freshmen Mike Plutt and Scott Plutt had very strong showings in singles.  In doubles, Josh Kliger (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Artur Jakubowski (Dallas, Texas) showed glimpses of great play, indicating a very strong future for the pair."

Doubles' play was also controlled by the Black and Gold, with four of five matches resulting Bryant's favor.

The duo of junior Oliver Welsh (San Diego, Calif.) and Devon Chofay (Narragansett, R.I.) recorded a 6-1, 6-3 victory over the twosome of Gabe Osio and Baxter. Kliger and Jakubowski defeated the doubles team of Gimes and Grullon Gonzalez, 6-7, 6-2, 10-4.

The Bulldogs continue fall action with the ITA Regionals, beginning Thursday, Oct. 22 in New Haven, Conn.