Feb. 25, 2012

ELKTON, Md. - Juniors Alex Veronis and Tommy Gates were winners at first and third singles, respectively, but Delaware ultimately emerged with a 5-2 victory over the Saint Joseph's men's tennis team on Saturday night at the Elkton Indoor Courts.

Veronis defeated Troy Beneck in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, in the top flight while Gates was a 7-6, 1-6, 7-6 winner over Andre Vorobyov in the third flight.

Veronis also teamed with Peter Cognetti to win their third-flight doubles match, 8-4.

"Our guys battled hard tonight," said head coach Ian Crookenden. "We lost some tough matches, and Alex and Tommy had great wins at one and three."

The Hawks next travel to Richmond, Virginia for matches with conference foes Richmond and Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday.

Delaware 5, Saint Joseph's 2

Doubles
1. Troy Beneck / Adam Lawton (UD) def. Jeff Kessler / Max Montague (SJU), 8-3
2. Ryan Kent / Andre Vorobyov (UD) def. Dan Barrus / Tommy Gates (SJU), 8-3
3. Peter Cognetti / Alex Veronis (SJU) def. Evan Andrews / Nolan Gelman (UD), 8-4

Singles
1. Veronis (SJU) def. Beneck (UD), 7-5, 6-2
2. Lawton (UD) def. Kessler (SJU), 6-3, 6-4
3. Gates (SJU) def. Vorobyov (UD), 7-6 (4), 1-6, 7-6 (2)
4. Gelman (UD) def. Barrus (SJU), 6-2, 0-6, 6-4
5. Kent (UD) def. Montague (SJU), 6-4, 6-4
6. Jason Derene (UD) def. Pierre Brondeau (SJU), 6-3, 7-5