The UB men's tennis team hosted the UB Classic tennis tournament last weekend and took advantage of playing on their home court. The Bulls won a majority of their matches over Niagara, St. Bonaventure and Youngstown State in the "hidden duals" format, which includes no team scoring.
UB started their two-day tournament off on the right track, winning 10 of 12 matches against Niagara. UB scored four doubles victories and six singles wins over the Purple Eagles.
At first doubles, UB's Nick Zieziula and Yules Hadisubroto defeated Niagara's Walter Garcia and Justin McConkey 8-3, while Mike Rockman and Josh Liederman defeated Alex Naji and Jonathan Bozanich 8-2 at number two doubles.
Randy Rocchio and Matt Kennedy defeated Erick Garcia and Greg Kaufman, 9-7. Joe Popielarczyk and Mike Zappone rounded out the victories for UB, defeating the Eagles' Dave Rueter and Joe Dante, 8-4.
In singles competition for the Bulls, Zieziula fell at number one singles to Walter Garcia, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Rockman was clutch for UB at number two singles wiping out Erick Garcia 6-2, 6-4, while Hadisubroto defeated McConkey 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 and Rocchio took Bozanich 7-5, 6-4 at number four singles.
Rounding out singles play for Buffalo was Kennedy with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over. Naji at number five singles, Liederman with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kaufman at number six and Popielarczyk beating Rueter by default at number seven.
On Sunday, UB's Popielarczyk was the star of the day, as he won both matches in singles and doubles competition. As far as the rest of the team, the Bulls took eight of nine matches against Youngstown State and six of ten matches against St. Bonaventure.
"We're just getting back in the swing of things," said Popielarczyk. "I think things went pretty well today. This team has more experience and more leadership than last year's team."
Head coach Russ Crispell was encouraged by the performance of his team over the two-day tournament.
"You don't get to the top by just being there," said Crispell. "You get there by taking one step at a time. We'll have set backs, we'll have problems, but as long as you know where the goal is, the goal is to get to the top and as long as you have determination and heart you'll get there."
Buffalo will look to continue their climb to the top of collegiate tennis when they travel to the Dartmouth Invitational next weekend.
