Jan. 29, 2011

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A shorthanded Saint Joseph's men's tennis squad fell to Navy, 6-1, on Saturday morning in the first match of the spring portion of the schedule. Junior Jeff Kessler made his return to competitive action following a shoulder injury with a three-set win over the Academy's Marcus Rebersak.

Kessler defeated Rebersak in the second singles flight, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Kessler teamed up with fellow junior Peter Cognetti at number one doubles, falling in a tough match by the score of 8-6.

Freshman Paranjay Malhotra took the first set of his sixth-flight tangle with Anderson Walls before eventually going down, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The Hawks were without junior Paul Ganev and sophomore Kristian Broaddus due to injury.

SJU returns to action on February 5 with a pair of matches in Jersey City, N.J. The Hawks will take on both La Salle and hosts Saint Peter's in a pair of dual matches.

Navy 6, Saint Joseph's 1

Doubles
1. Nick Birger / Owen Bullard (Navy) def. Peter Cognetti / Jeff Kessler (Saint Joseph's), 8-6
2. Nicholas Gutsche / Zach Nicholson (USNA) def. Tommy Gates / Alex Veronis (SJU), 8-1
3. Marcus Rebersak / Anderson Walls (USNA) def. Dan Barrus / Paranjay Malhotra (SJU), 8-0

Singles
1. Bullard (USNA) def. Veronis (SJU), 6-3, 6-3
2. Kessler (SJU) def. Rebersak (USNA), 6-4, 6-3, 6-3
3. Nicholson (USNA) def. Gates (SJU), 6-1, 6-3
4. Jeremy New (USNA) def. Cognetti (SJU), 6-4, 6-2
5. Gutsche (USNA) def. Barrus (SJU), 7-5, 6-4
6. Walls (USNA) def. Malhotra (SJU), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2