April 25, 2013

MASON, Ohio - Fighting to the final point, the eighth seed Saint Joseph's men's tennis team battled ninth seed Butler in the opening round of the 2013 Atlantic 10 Championship Thursday evening at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The Hawks would ultimately fall to the Bulldogs, 4-3, to cap the season.

Facing A-10 newcomer Butler for the first time this season, the Hawks rallied after falling behind the Butler early. Down 1-0 after losing the doubles point, Saint Joseph's rallied to make it 1-1 as Alex Veronis was dominant in his match at No. 1 singles, winning 6-3, 6-1 victory over Austin Woldmoe.

The Bulldogs upped its lead to 3-1 with a wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, but Jose Sierra and Pierre Brondeau rallied the Hawks with wins at the second and third flights to tie the match at 3-3. Sierra came back from dropping the first set to win 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 over Pulok Bhattacharya, while Brondeau was a three set winner, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, against Sam O'Neil.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Bulldogs won the final match in three sets to win the matchup.

The Hawks cap the season with a 10-12 overall record.

Singles
1. Alex Veronis (SJU) d. Austin Woldmoe (BU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Jose Sierra (SJU) d. Pulok Bhattacharya (BU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
3. Pierre Brondeau (SJU) d. Sam O'Neill (BU) 6-1, 5-7, 6-4
4. Tommy Marx (BU) d. Tommy Gates (SJU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
5. Billy Weldon (BU) d. Max Montague (SJU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Brandon Woods (BU) d. Jeff Kessler (SJU) 6-2, 6-0
Order of Finish: 1, 5, 6, 2, 3, 4

Doubles
1. Woldmoe/Weldon (BU) d. Sierra/Montague (SJU) 8-4
2. Woods/Bhattachary (BU) d. Kessler/Dan Barrus (SJU) 8-2
3. Marx/O'Neill (BU) vs. Brondeau/Veronis (SJU) 4-6 DNF
Order of Finish: 2, 1

Total Points
Saint Joseph's: 77
Butler: 92