April 16, 2013

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's men's tennis team wrapped up the regular season portion of its slate with a 4-3 defeat at Temple on Tuesday afternoon.

Junior Jose Sierra won both of his matches on the day, teaming with Max Montague for an 8-6 win at first doubles before winning his second-flight match, 6-2, 6-1.

Dan Barrus and Jeff Kessler won their second doubles flight match, 8-5, to secure the doubles point for the Hawks.

Unfortunately for the Crimson and Gray, the Owls won four of the six singles tilts to secure the match victory. In addition to Sierra's win, Pierre Brondeau won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, in the third flight to secure a point for the Hawks.

Montague and Tommy Gates fell in three-setters in the fifth and fourth flights, respectively.

The Hawks will now prepare for the 2013 Atlantic 10 Championship, which will begin on April 25 in Mason, Ohio.

Temple 4, Saint Joseph's 3

Doubles
1. Max Montague / Jose Sierra (SJU) def. Kristian Marquart / Sam Rundle (TU), 8-6
2. Dan Barrus / Jeff Kessler (SJU) def. Hicham Belkssir / Hernan Vasconez (TU), 8-5
3. Pierre Brondeau / Alex Veronis (SJU) vs. Santiago Canete / Nicolas Paulus (TU), did not finish

Singles
1. Marquart (TU) def. Alex Veronis (SJU), 6-4, 6-4
2. Sierra (SJU) def. Vasconez (TU), 6-2, 6-1
3. Brondeau (SJU) def. Canete (TU), 6-2, 6-3
4. Paulus (TU) def. Tommy Gates (SJU), 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
5. Belkssir (TU) def. Montague (SJU), 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (5)
6. Rundle (TU) def. Kessler (SJU), 6-4, 6-4

Game Scores
Singles: Saint Joseph's 66, Temple 65
Doubles: Saint Joseph's 16, Temple 11
Total: Saint Joseph's 82, Temple 76