By Chris McCree
Writer
The men’s tennis team opened the season with two tough losses to Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne this past weekend in Pittsburgh. Although the team managed only three victories over the weekend, it saw its star Kelly Morque ’13 win his 12th straight singles match against his Carnegie Mellon opponent.
Friday night, the Bison fell to the Tartans in a match that was much closer than the score showed. While the Bison only managed to win three out of the nine matches, three of their losses came in three-set contests.
“We lost the match 6-3 but lost two matches 7-5 in the third set. If we win those matches, we win the match,” Mark Malloy ’11 said.
Morque won his singles match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, and improved his winning streak to 12 straight dating back to the fall season. Gregg Cohenca ’12 had an impressive day as his two victories accounted for two of the team’s three points. In his single match, Cohenca was able to overcome his first set loss and win 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 2 spot. He also teamed up with Malloy to win the No. 2 doubles match 8-4.
On Saturday afternoon, the Orange and Blue dropped their second straight in a 7-0 loss to Duquesne. The team lost all three of its doubles matches and all six of its singles matches. Morque was not able to extend his winning streak to 13, but he was the only Bison to win a set. Cohenca fell just short in a close 7-6, 7-6 loss at No. 1 singles, and he and Malloy put up a fight in the No. 2 doubles but still fell 8-6 on a disappointing day for the Bison.
However, the Bison did not seem discouraged about losing their first two of the season. The team has well over a month before their Patriot League matches begin, so this weekend was about getting the team some competition.
“Going into these matches this weekend, I think everyone was excited to get out there and finally play. We all know that this is a long season and therefore aren’t worried about these loses,” Cohenca said. “We have a very strong and deep lineup, and finding the best fit for our team is crucial. I think these early season matches will pay off for us in the end.”
The Orange and Blue look to regroup this week and prepare for their next match against Penn State on Sunday. The Nittany Lions pose a difficult match-up for the Bison, for they have already played and beaten Patriot League rivals Lehigh and Army.
“[We are] looking forward to our next match against Penn State because they are a talented team, possibly the best we will face this year. We are eager to see how we compete,” Malloy said.