On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the men’s tennis team traveled to Lawrenceville, New Jersey to compete against Rider University. It was a great day for the Rams, winning against Rider with a total score of 6-1. Overall, Fordham won five out of the six singles matches, giving them five points and Rider one point. In doubles play, they won two out of the three matches, securing the additional doubles point. With this win, the men’s tennis team is now 2-0 for the competitive season.
Fordham began their play for the afternoon with doubles matches, seeing freshman Jeremy Chung and junior Joseph Kavaloski defeating Rider’s Brandon Gildea and Griffin Clark with a score of 6-2. Freshman Steven Duka and junior Cameron Posillico won against Rider’s Ryan Ciaccio and Matthew Begley with a set score of 6-2. Finally, sophomore Victor Li and freshman Fabian Mauritzson put up a good fight against Rider’s Chris Popso and Adam Levi, ultimately losing their set 3-6. With a two to one score in doubles, Fordham earned the doubles point.
The six singles matches were up next. Sophomore Victor Li played first singles, winning against Rider’s Chris Popso 6-1, 6-0. For second singles, freshman Fabian Mauritzson won against Rider’s Adam Levi with a score of 6-1, 6-0. Freshman Jeremy Chung, playing third singles, defeated Rider’s Brandon Gildea with a 6-0, 6-1 score. Fourth singles was an extremely close and competitive match, with a final match score of 7-6 (10-6), 7-6 (10-6). Fordham freshman Steven Duka came out on top for the fourth singles spot, claiming victory over Rider’s Griffin Clark. For fifth singles, sophomore Joseph Kavaloski won against Rider’s Matthew Begley with a score of 6-2, 6-1.
Finally, in the sixth singles spot, junior Cameron Posillico put up a good fight, but ultimately fell to Rider’s Ryan Ciaccio with a score of 2-6, 2-6. With this five to one win in the singles matches, Fordham earned five points and Rider earned one. Thus, Fordham accumulated six points in total, winning the tournament against Rider.
Kavaloski, who won at second doubles and fifth singles, reflects on his own playing as well as the team’s progression to victory: “We did a good job of setting the tone in doubles with quick wins at two and three. We were then able to carry this momentum into a dominant singles performance.”
The past week was a good one for the Fordham Men’s Tennis team, both in practice and in match play. The team’s success so far in their tournaments proves that they are working hard to improve their game and reflects how dedicated the team members are to practice. There is no rest after their win, as the team heads right back to the courts to enhance their play even further so they can ensure more future victories.
We are expecting great things from the Rams as they return to action at the ITA Northeast Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Oct. 20-23.
