UNIVERSITY PARK, PA—The Penn State men's tennis team (6-3) swept their Sunday doubleheader, defeating Delaware, 6-1 and Saint Bonaventure, 7-0 at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center.
"We got just what we had hoped for in the two matches," said head coach Jeff Zinn. "We went up against a very good Delaware team that has really improved and is near the top of their conference. They competed hard and gave our team a good fight. I was happy that we battled back from some breaks in the first set to regain control of the matches. In the second match we were able to play some different doubles combinations and give some other players an opportunity to play for the Blue & White. They need the experience and match play which will help us down the line in future competitions. The upcoming match against UPenn is going to be a hard fought affair that is going to go down to the wire. Every year that we have played it has been close and we need to start playing teams better on the road. That will be our focus this upcoming week."
"This is a good win for the guys. We're getting closer to where we want to be but we still need to improve in certain key areas. But certainly making progress and we're very pleased with this weekends results," said associate head coach Paul Tobin. "Tough matches ahead with UPenn and Columbia; need everyone to bring their "A" game."
PENN STATE 6, DELAWARE 1
DOUBLES
The Nittany Lions went 3-0 for the doubles matchups against the Fighting Blue Hens.
On court No.1, Malik Bhatnagar and Alexander Karman defeated James Wilkinson and Pascal Wagemaker, 6-1. Duo Charl Morgan and Miko Eala secured a 6-3 victory over Alexandre Gluck and Guilherme Valdoleiros to secure the Penn State doubles point. On court No. 3, Bora Sengul and Chikaya Sato defeated Pierce Gilheany and Emiliano Gonzalez in a 6-4 decision.
SINGLES
Penn State held its lead throughout singles play, earning five wins.
On court No.3, Eala defeated Wagemaker 6-1, 6-4 and give Penn State the 2-1 lead over Delaware. Sato earned a hard-fought victory, 7-5, 6-3 over Luis Molina on court No. 2. Loren Byers clinched the match for Penn State with a 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 win over Gluck.
Sengul won a huge battle over Tobias Sonne to further the Nittany Lion lead. Sengul earned a 6-1 win in the first set and went 8-6 in the second to seal his victory. Sam Bossem defeated Pierce Gillheany 6-2, 7-5.
RESULTS
PENN STATE 6, DELAWARE 1
Doubles Results
1. Malik Bhatnagar/Alexander Karman (PSU) def. James Wilkinson/Pascal Wagemaker (DEL) 6-1
2. Bora Sengul/Chikaya Sato (PSU) def. Pierce Gilheany/Emiliano Gonzalez (DEL) 6-4
3. Charl Morgan/Miko Eala (PSU) def. Alexandre Gluck/G. Valdoleiros (DEL) 6-3
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2
Singles Results
1. James Wilkinson (DEL) def. Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Chikaya Sato (PSU) def. Luis Molina (DEL) 7-5, 6-3
3. Miko Eala (PSU) def. Pascal Wagemaker (DEL) 6-1, 6-4
4. Loren Byers (PSU) def. Alexandre Gluck (DEL) 5-7, 6-3, 6-0
5. Bora Sengul (PSU) def. Tobias Sonne (DEL) 6-1, 7-6 (4-0)
6. Sam Bossem (PSU) def. Pierce Gilheany (DEL) 6-2, 7-5
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 6
PENN STATE 7, ST. BONAVENTURE 0
DOUBLES
The Nittany Lions swept doubles play to secure the point.
Alexander Karman and Bora Sengul captured a win over Norka Sanchez and Jean Marrero, 6-3. On court three, Loren Byers and Harrison Janes defeated William Schneideman and Luke Riemann, 6-3.
Partners Charl Morgan and Miko Eala earned a 7-5 victory over Stijn Paardekooper and Marko Rivolo.
SINGLES
Penn State swept Saint Bonaventure in singles play.
On court No. 2, Byers defeated Marrero in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. Finishing second, Sengul bested Marco Rivolo, 6-3, 6-1 on court No. 3. Karman clinched the match for the Nittany Lions with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Saint Bonaventure's Sanchez. Morgan won a 7-5, 7-5 match over Paardekooper.
Harrison James defeated William Schneideman 6-3, 6-1, while Ondrej Ctverak closed out the play for the Nittany Lions with a 6-1 win over Luke Young.
Penn State 7, St. Bonaventure 0
Doubles Results
1. Charl Morgan/Miko Eala (PSU) def. Stijn Paardekooper/Marko Rivolo (SBU), 7-5
2. Alexander Karman/Bora Sengul (PSU) def. Norka Sanchez/Jean Marrero (SBU), 6-3
3. Loren Byers/Harrison Janes (PSU) def. William Schneideman/Luke Rieman (SBU), 6-3
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1
Singles Results
1. Charl Morgan (PSU) def. Stijn Paardekooper (SBU), 7-5, 7-5
2. Loren Byers (PSU) def. Jean Marrero (SBU), 6-0, 6-1
3. Bora Sengul (PSU) def. Marco Rivolo (SBU), 6-3, 6-2
4. Alexander Karman (PSU) def. Norka Sanchez (SBU), 6-3, 6-2
5. Harrison Janes (PSU) def. William Scheideman (SBU), 6-3, 6-1
6. Ondrej Ctverak (PSU) def. Luke Young (SBU) 6-1, 6-4.
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 4, 1, 5, 6
UP NEXT
Penn State men's tennis is set to play on the road at the University of Pennsylvania Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State men's tennis team during the season. Follow the team on Twitter @pennstateMTEN, Instagram @pennstatemtennis and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstatemenstennis.