April 16, 2008

Aston, Pa. April 15, 2008

The Neumann College men's tennis team hosted regional power Messiah College in a men's tennis match Tuesday April 15, 2008.  Head Coach Chris Gosseaux intended to use this match to challenge the team as they prepared for the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference tournament.  The Knights took the challenge to heart and went one step further; they won the match 5-4.

In doubles play the Knights saw themselves fall behind 2-1.  In first doubles seniors John Slinka and Andrew Bitar battled Messiah's Nathan Ipsen and Jonathan Siemen.  Ipsen and Siemen got the better of the match winning 8-4.  In the number two doubles match senior Barry Harvey and Dan Harnos took on Samuel Shorts and William Tanis.  These two teams fought for every point with great volleys and athletic plays.  Messiah was able to prevail in a tie-breaker after the teams finished tied at 8-8.  Picking up a point for the Knights were freshmen Chris Brown and Greg Bridgeman who defeated Messiah's Jansen Hein and Luke Ruch in the third doubles match of the day.

In singles play the Knights were able to win several close fought contest to give them the team victory.  Neumann's Brown defeated Messiah's Ipsen 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1 while his team Greg Bridgeman defeated Messiah's Jon Siemen 7-6(7-4), 4-6.  This gave the Knights a 3-2 lead headed into the third and fourth singles matches.

In third singles Slinka continued the momentum defeating his opponent Sam Shorts 6-3, 6-4.  Then Messiah struck back with a win at fourth singles when Jansen Hein defeated Neumann's Dan Harnos 2-6, 0-6.  Messiah then won again at fifth singles when Tanis defeated Bitar 2-6, 0-6. 

Headed into the last match of the day was senior Barry Harvey who would take on Messiah's Luke Ruch.  In a match that was marked by excellent tennis, athletic plays and hard shots, Harvey completed the Knight victory with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The Knights move to 12-3 overall.  They begin their preparations for the P.A.C. team tournament that begins on Friday at the West End Racquet Club in Allentown, Pa.