March 13, 2006

Box Score

KEY BISCAYNE, FL - Saint Joseph's delivered convincing play in doubles, but Rutgers posted a pair of key three-set victories that allowed RU to edge the Hawks, 4-3, at the USTA Training Center. Freshman Pat Adams and Phil Bayliss notched singles victories for the Crimson and Gray.

The afternoon started well for the Hawks, as SJU swept the doubles competition. Seniors Jimmy Holland and Antonio Aniello paired for an 8-3 decision at number one, while Adams and senior Chris Spencer won by an identical score at number three. Senior A.J. Garabedian teamed with Bayliss for an 8-6 victory at number two.

In singles, Adams was an easy winner at fourth (6-1, 6-0), while Bayliss coasted to a 6-3, 6-1 decision. RU, though posted wins as number two over Spencer (6-1, 6-1) and at third against Garabedian (6-1, 6-1) to keep within striking distance.

The match was decided by two nearly identical three set matches. Holland dropped the first set at number one in a breaker, while Aniello likewise fell in a breaker at number five. Both Hawks battled back to claim their repsective second sets in tie-breakers, but then ran out of steam and were topped in the final set. Each fell by identical scores of 7-6, 6-7, 6-1.