Jan. 26, 2013

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Senior captain Tommy Gates and graduate student Jeff Kessler earned singles victories, but the Saint Joseph's men's tennis team fell at Navy, 4-3, in their first dual match of the spring semester on Saturday.

Gates was a 7-6 (7), 4-6, 10-3 (supertiebreak) winner in the second flight over Peter McDonald, while Kessler took down Nicholas Gutsche, 6-1, 7-5, in the fifth flight.

Max Montague and Jose Sierra teamed up for a 9-8 (5) win in the top doubles flight, while Kessler and Pierre Brondeau were 9-8 (5) winners in the third.

"We were a little out of match fitness but we gave a solid effort," said head coach Ian Crookenden. "That will help us next weekend."

The Hawks will return to action on Friday, February 1, as they host Richmond at the Upper Dublin Sports Center.

Navy 4. Saint Joseph's 3

Doubles
1. Max Montague / Jose Sierra (SJU) def. Peter McDonald / Calvin Mark (USNA), 9-8 (5)
2. Alex Gaines / Austin Jones (USNA) def. Dan Barrus / Tommy Gates (SJU), 8-2
3. Pierre Brondeau / Jeff Kessler (SJU) def. Nicholas Gutsche / Blake Daniel (USNA), 9-8 (5)

Singles
1. Mark (USNA) def. Sierra (SJU), 6-2, 6-1
2. Gates (SJU) def. McDonald (USNA), 7-6 (7), 4-6, 10-3 (STB)
3. Jones (USNA) def. Brondeau (SJU), 7-6 (2), 6-3
4. Daniel (USNA) def. Montague (SJU), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
5. Kessler (SJU) def. Gutsche (USNA), 6-1, 7-5
6. Tyler Burnett (USNA) def. Barrus (SJU), 6-3, 6-2

Game Scores
Singles: Navy 70, Saint Joseph's 53
Doubles: Navy 24, Saint Joseph's 20
Total: Navy 94, Saint Joseph's 73