Brookville, N.Y. - For the third time this season, the Adelphi University men's tennis team squared off against the Merrimack College Warriors -- this time in the first round of the NCAA East Regional. The Panthers, seeded No. 6 in the second regional bracket hosted by NYIT on the campus of LIU Post, fell behind 3-0 after doubles against the third-seeded Warriors, and could not rally before dropping a 5-1 decision.
In three tightly contested doubles matches, the Warriors came out the winners at each flight. No. 2 and No. 3 doubles were decided by just one service break, as each pro set went in Merrimack's favor, 8-6. At top flight, Sander Brenner and Uladzislau Litvinchuk battled to force extra games, but eventually fell just short of a tiebreak at 9-7.
In singles, the Warriors took a set lead at all flights except No. 2 and No. 3, as Brenner and Chiwete Njokanma battled to try and pull Adelphi back in the match. At No. 5, Frank Vega conceded just four games to Justin Vijungco in a 6-3, 6-1 match and put the Warriors one point away from advancing. While Ryan Villarruel's victory in singles in his final match in the Brown and Gold got Adelphi on the board and delayed the end of the match, Vince Bellino's 6-2, 6-2 win over Sebastian Zapata clinched the Warriors' third victory in three tries over Adelphi this season.
Doubles
Singles
1. Francis (MER) vs. Litvinchuk (ADE) 6-0, 4-2, unfinished
2. Belov (MER) vs. Brenner (ADE) 2-6, 3-4, unfinished
3. Belfort (MER) vs. Njokanma (ADE) 3-6, 4-1, unfinished
4. Bellino (MER) def. Zapata (ADE) 6-2, 6-2
5. Vega (MER) def. Vijungco (ADE) 6-3, 6-1
6. Villarruel (ADE) def. Majewski (MER) 6-3, 6-1
The Panthers end their season at 10-6 overall and 10-5 against Division II opposition. The Panthers advanced to the program's first Northeast-10 Championship match, where they fell to Merrimack, and received an at-large bid to the regional for the second straight year.
