March 16, 2012

MERION STATION, Pa. - The Saint Joseph's men's tennis team fell to Atlantic 10 foe Xavier Friday afternoon at the SJU Tennis complex. The Hawks got a win at No. 3 doubles from Alex Veronis and Peter Cognetti, but couldn't hold off the Musketeers, falling 7-0.

In doubles play, Cognetti and Veronis posted a hard-fought 9-7 win at the third doubles flight. Tommy Gates and Dan Barrus teamed for another strong performance, but fell 8-6 at the second flight, while Xavier won the first flight to earn the first point of the match.

Switching to singles play, Gates forced his match at No. 3 singles to three sets, but eventually fell 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to Rich Canelas. The Hawks got several other good efforts, but the Musketeers held on for the win at the remaining singles flights.

The Hawks return to action Sunday when they host Lehigh.

Singles
1. Jimmy Roebker (XU) def. Alex Veronis (SJU) 6-1, 6-3
2. Mesa Mel (XU) def. Jeff Kessler (SJU) 6-3, 6-0
3. Rich Canelas (XU) def. Tommy Gates (SJU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
4. Brandon MacDonald (XU) def. Dan Barrus (SJU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Mike Moe (XU) def. Max Montague (SJU) 6-1, 7-6 (5)
6. Marc Pretorius (XU) def. Pierre Brondeau (SJU) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles
1. Mel/Roebker (XU) def. Kessler/Montague (SJU) 8-0
2. Canelas/Pretorius (XU) def. Gates/Barrus (SJU) 8-6
3. Veronis / Peter Cognetti (SJU) def. MacDonald / Pat Brandy (XU) 9-7