Colgate Starts Season Strong Defeating Binghamton Twice

September 15, 2001

(Story By Jon Simmons)

Hamilton, NY - The men's tennis squad opened its 2001 fall season in a doubleheader against Binghamton.  Once potential opponents Georgetown and Stony Brook opted out of participating in Colgate's annual Round Robin, there was question if the tournament would be held at all.  "Our team just wants to take advantage of any chance we have to get out on the courts," said sophomore standout Eric Saccullo.  As a result of the strong competitive will of the Raider's team, the tournament was played in the form of a doubleheader against Binghamton.  

In the first match, Colgate emerged victorious 7-1 in singles.  Strong performances were handed in all around, especially by Evan Ambrose and Andrew Davis.  However, the featured match of the morning was at the number one singles slot where freshman newcomer Reed Hagmann edged Dmitri Litvak 6-4, 7-5.  Also, Eric Saccullo dropped a tough three set match, losing in a tiebreak 10-8.  Saccullo had been down 9-5 before defending three straight match points.  

In doubles, sophomores Jon Bedard and Zander Lowe powered past Binghamton's Brad Sherwood and Krishna Vallabhaneni 9-7.  Evan Ambrose and first-year Peter Oman trounced Evan Gottlieb and Ryan Rosenthal 8-0.

Singles
No. 1  Reed Hagmann (CU) def. Dmitri Litvak  6-4, 7-5
No. 2  Brad Davidoff (BU) def. Eric Saccullo 6-7, 7-5, 7-6
No. 3  Andrew Davis (CU) def. Steve Spencer 6-4, 6-2
No. 4  Zander Lowe (CU) def. Randall Shu 6-3, 7-6
No. 5  J.P. Johnson (CU) def. Ryan Rosenthal 6-0, 2-6, 6-4
No. 6  Evan Ambrose (CU) def. Evan Gottlieb 6-1, 6-1
No. 7  Peter Oman (CU) def. Joe Caiello 6-3, 7-5
No. 8  Christian Pesci (CU) def. Krishna Vallabhaneni 0-6, 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
No. 1  Litvak/Davidoff (BU) def. Hagmann/Davis 8-6
No. 2  Johnson/Bedard (CU) def. Spencer/Shu 8-6
No. 3  Lowe/Allen Royce (CU) def. Brad Sherwood/Vallabhaneni 9-7
No. 4  Oman/Ambrose (CU) def. Gottlieb/Rosenthal 8-0

In the afternoon matches, Colgate again demonstrated its winning potential by winning 10 of 11 matches.  Captain Evan Paushter returned to action, giving a solid performance at the top singles slot.  He also reunited with teammate Eric Saccullo in number one doubles, a pair that looks to again thrive at that spot.  

Overall, the Raiders have gotten off to a solid start and look to be a juggernaut in the Patriot League.  The addition of freshman Reed Hagmann, Peter Oman, and Allen Royce, along with the veterans should prove to be a winning combination.  

The Raiders continue action next weekend, September 22-23, at the Cornell Fall Invitational.  

Singles
No. 1  Evan Paushter (CU) def. Brad Davidoff 6-3, 7-5 
No. 2  Steve Spencer (BU) def. Jon Bedard 2-6, 7-6, 6-3
No. 3  Zander Lowe (CU) def. Brad Sherwood 7-6, 6-7, 7-6
No. 4  Evan Ambrose (CU) def. Ryan Rosenthal 6-3, 7-5
No. 5  Peter Oman (CU) def. Evan Gottlieb 6-0, 6-4
No. 6  JP Johnson (CU) def. Joe Caiello 3-0, retired
No. 7  Allen Royce (CU) def. Krishna Vallabhaneni 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
No. 1  Eric Saccullo/Paushter (CU) def. Litvak/Davidoff 8-3
No. 2  Reed Hagmann/Andrew Davis (CU) def. Spencer/Randall Shu 8-3
No. 3  Johnson/Bedard (CU) def. Sherwood/Vallabhaneni 8-3
No. 4  Lowe/Ambrose (CU) def. Gottlieb/Caiello 8-5