WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – In in a pivotal Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) match, the Monmouth University men's tennis team defeated visiting Fairfield, 6-1, Wednesday afternoon at the MU Tennis Courts. The Hawks, who remain unbeaten at home, run its winning streak to nine matches and improve to 11-6 (4-0 MAAC) overall, while the Stags fall to 8-7 (2-3 MAAC) on the year.
"This was a great day for our program,” commented Head Coach Cory Hubbard. “It started with a great turnout from the student-body and athletics to create a great atmosphere for us to play in which gave us a real boost. It was a total team effort today, like it has been during our winning streak. I have a lot of respect for the Fairfield program as they are a solid team year in and year out. Coach Paige knows the game well and to get this win is satisfying.”
The No. 3 doubles duo of Przemyslaw Filipek (Bedzin, Poland/Second Lo [Silesia]) and Bee Kumthonkittikul (Bangkok, Thailand/Pendleton School) opened up play by blanking Peter Colliard and Cameron Amyot, 8-0. Junior Freddy Marcinkowski (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) and Ramy Bekhiet (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville), playing No. 2, sealed the point by holding off Ofir Solomon and Bjorn Merinder, 8-6, to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
“The energy and momentum in doubles started at No. 2 getting an early lead and No. 3 winning 8-0. Ramy and Freddy handled the pressure well and got us the point,” stated Hubbard.
Rookie Christian Vieira (Houston, Texas/Memorial) started singles play off with a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 6 to push the Blue and White in front 2-0. Victor Pugliese (Boulogne, France/CNED [San Diego]) registered his 11th consecutive win at No. 1, downing Ian Tesmond 6-2, 6-3 to improve to 13-1 in dual matches which gave the Hawks a commanding 3-0 advantage. Luke Adamus (Mosman, New South Wales/Redlands) clinched the match for MU with his 6-3, 6-2 win over Colliard. At No. 3, Kumthonkittikul edged Dennis Zlobinski 7-5 in the opening set, before posting a 6-0 second-set victory, while Marcinkowski rounded-out the Hawks' scoring with a three-set 6-1, 6-7, 10-1 win over Amyot.
“The guys carried the momentum in singles and got great starts at 4, 5, and 6 winning the first sets handily,” added Hubbard. “Christian playing at No. 6 has been tremendous and once again won quickly to give us a 2-0 lead. I thought Victor did a great job controlling his match from the beginning against a tough opponent. Bee played his best set of tennis all year in the second set and Luke stepped up to serve out and clinch the match.”
Hawks return to the courts to take on both Saint Francis Brooklyn and Rider on Friday, April 11th.
@MUMtennis
Tennis Match Results
Fairfield vs Monmouth
Apr 09, 2014 at West Long Branch, N.J.
Monmouth 6, Fairfield 1
Singles competition
1. Pugliese, Victor (MU) def. Tesmond, Ian (FFDM) 6-2, 6-3
2. Solomon, Ofir (FFDM) def. Filipek, Przemyslaw (MU) 6-1, 7-5
3. Kumthonkittikul, Bee (MU) def. Zlobinsky, Dennis (FFDM) 7-5, 6-0
4. Marcinkowski, Freddy (MU) def. Amyot, Cameron (FFDM) 6-1, 6-7, 10-1
5. Adamus, Luke (MU) def. Colliard, Peter (FFDM) 6-3, 6-2
6. Vieira, Christian (MU) def. Merinder, Bjorn (FFDM) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Pugliese, Victor/Vieira, Christian (MU) vs. Zlobinsky, Dennis/Tesmond, Ian (FFDM) 5-7, unfinished
2. Marcinkowski, Freddy/Bekhiet, Ramy (MU) def. Solomon, Ofir/Merinder, Bjorn (FFDM) 8-6
3. Kumthonkittikul, Bee/Filipek, Przemyslaw (MU) def. Colliard, Peter/Amyot, Cameron (FFDM) 8-0
Match Notes:
Fairfield 8-7 (2-3 MAAC)
Monmouth 11-6 (4-0 MAAC)
Doubles Order of Finish: 3, 2
Singles Order of Finish: 6, 1, 5, 3, 2, 4
