MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's men's tennis team returned to action on Saturday with a 5-2 win over Delaware at the SJU Tennis Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Hawks got on the board via the doubles point, as Damir Abdusamadov and Santiago Valle were 6-2 winners in the first flight before Othman Bezzaz and Ernesto Ruy won the second in a tiebreaker.
 
• Bezzaz then rolled in straight sets in the fourth singles flight to double the lead before the Blue Hens drew level through wins in the sixth and then third flights.
 
• Sehaj Singh Pawar put the Hawks back on top with a three-set win in the fifth flight before Ruy finished off his own three-setter in the second flight to clinch the win.  Valle then closed the match out with a three-set win in the top flight.

HAWK TALK
"What a great win today," head coach Jeff Puhan said.  "Credit Delaware, who came to battle.  I'm proud of our guys, who handled the elements today.  They are battle-tested and rose to the challenge.  We now have another NCAA tournament team in Old Dominion coming to town Thursday.  We are ready for another battle!"
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks host Old Dominion on March 19.
 
RESULTS
 
Saint Joseph's 5, Delaware 2
 
Doubles
1. Damir Abdusamadov / Santiago Valle (SJU) def. Tobey Lock / Euan Mackenzie (UD), 6-2
2. Othman Bezzaz / Ernesto Ruy (SJU) def. Mason Robins / James Sclater (UD), 7-6 (5)
3. Federico Garbero / Pere Prat (UD) def. Davi Carlos / Sehaj Singh Pawar (SJU), 6-0
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
 
Singles
1. Valle (SJU) def. Lock (UD), 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
2. Ruy (SJU) def. Garbero (UD), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
3. Mackenzie (UD) def. Abdusamadov (SJU), 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
4. Bezzaz (SJU) def. Prat (UD), 6-1, 6-2
5. Pawar (SJU) def. Robins (UD), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
6. Luke Tollenaar (UD) def. Carlos (SJU), 6-4, 6-3
Order of Finish: 4, 6, 3, 5, 2, 1