t was a day of firsts on Sunday for the men’s tennis team. They had their first double-header with back-to-back matches against the Colgate Raiders and the Villanova Wildcats. In addition, it was the first time in the young season that the Rams played under a 4+1 format. In this new format, only one doubles match determines the point, as opposed to three, and the next four points are contested in four singles matches, differing from the usual six. Fordham struggled with the new format and dropped both of the weekend’s matches.
“The doubles is still evolving, and we are continuing to improve and getting good looks,” said head coach Michael Sowter. “We just need to execute better on the big points. Winning doubles always gives the team an emotional boost, but I don’t think the guys are feeling any additional pressure in singles.”
The day began with the Rams losing a close one to the Raiders, 3-2. Doubles play, a thorn in the Rams’ side throughout the spring, was the difference in this one. The two squads split the four singles matches. Junior Tomas Cosmai bested Nick Laub (3-6, 6-2, 11-9), and senior Pedro Alosno topped Noah Rosenblat (6-4, 2-6, 10-5). The singles matches had the teams deadlocked at two, with the one doubles match being the difference between the two squads. The Ram duo of sophomores Joseph Kavaloski and Cameron Posillico were downed in straight sets by Tom Haile and Dean Koman.
A close bout in the first match did not carry over into the second as Fordham was handled easy by Villanova in a 4-1 defeat. Team captain Alonso picked up the only point of the day on the Fordham side with a three set victory over Jimmy Purdy (7-5, 4-6, 10-8) and remained undefeated on the day. Cosmai could not carry over success from the first match in a (6-1, 6-0) defeat courtesy of Chris Seitz. Freshman Victor Li and Posillico remained winless when they lost to Bradley Noyes (6-4, 3-6, 10-6) and Thomas Dodson (6-4, 6-0), respectively. The doubles point struggles continued in (6-4,6-1) defeat of Kavaloski and Senior Nick Borak.
The loss drops the Rams to a middling 3-3 on the spring, but Sowter is unfazed. “I’m confident that we will finish above .500 for the season,” he said. “I think the team will learn and improve from these tougher opponents and we will finish the season with a flourish.”
Another double header is up next on Sunday, Feb. 28, with Marist and Wagner as the adversaries. Play will begin at 2 p.m. in the Life Time Athletic Gym in Harrison, New York.
