SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University men's tennis team opened the season with a pair of wins at the Salisbury University Indoor Tennis Center on Saturday, topping Stevenson University and Juniata College.
Salisbury 8, Stevenson 1
The Sea Gulls took their only loss of the day in doubles play against the Mustangs, but still took a 2-1 lead into singles play.
Sophomores James Kwedi and William Niessner, at No. 2, and senior Brandon Danganan and sophomore Ethan Brown, at No. 3 doubles each came away with 8-6 victories.
At the top spot, junior Kelson Weber and sophomore Garrett Malave dropped a narrow 9-7 decision.
Salisbury swept the six singles matches, winning four in straight sets. Weber collected a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles with sophomore Ethan Brown collecting a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 6. Though Niessner won at No. 3 it was not without a fight. Niessner battled to a 7-6 (7-4) win in the opening set before taking the second set against Worden Ly 6-3.
It took third-set super breakers for the other three points. Malave won at No. 2 with a score of 5-7, 6-2, 10-6, while Kwedi picked up a 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 10-1 win at No. 5.
Senior Connor Truitt took his first set at No. 4 against Andrew Ryan before falling in the second 6-2. The pair battled for the match, with Truitt coming out ahead, 16-14 to take the point.
Salisbury 9, Juniata 0
In the nightcap, little was ever in doubt against Juniata (3-1), with Salisbury sweeping the three doubles matches all by 8-2 scores, before rolling to six more points in singles in straight sets.
Sophomore pair of Colt Williamson and Patrick MacLean picked up the win at No. 1 doubles, while classmates Ian Siew and Matthew Ryan won at No. 2 and Weber and Malave picked up the victory at No. 3.
In singles play, Weber picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win in the most lopsided singles match, at No. 4. Siew and Ryan each allowed just three games to their Eagle counterpart, with Siew winning at No. 2 by a 6-3, 6-0 score and Ryan winning 6-1, 6-2 at No. 5.
Williamson won at the top singles spot 6-4, 6-1 with MacLean earning a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 3 and Malave finishing off the scoring with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 6.
The Sea Gulls will be off for the next week before hosting Virginia Wesleyan University and Goucher College next Saturday, February 24.
