The Binghamton men’s tennis team not only eluded bad weather, but also avoided playing down to its opponent’s level.
BU won both of its matches at home this weekend, defeating Quinnipiac 6-1 on Saturday and Hartford 7-0 on Sunday.
“It was a good weekend,” said head coach Michael Starke. “I felt we played pretty well … we did a good job producing.”
On Saturday, the Bearcats dried the courts of the early morning rainfall before going on to win the doubles point and six out of seven singles matches.
“We struggled with the weather and our doubles were hot and cold,” Starke said.
Seniors Richemn Mourad and Brian O’Connor won their singles matches 6-0, 6-0 at the first and third spot, respectively. The only loss came at No. 4 singles where junior Aurelio Martinez fell 6-1, 6-2.
The following morning, BU picked up right where it left off, sweeping America East opponent Hartford. The Bearcats won the doubles point once again and each of the six singles matches.
“I thought we rose to the occasion and played well,” Starke said.
Five of the singles matches were won easily in two sets as O’Connor at No. 4, sophomore Faisal Mohamed at No. 5 and senior Edwin Gerard at No. 6 all won 6-0, 6-0. Sophomore Alex Dobrin, however, wouldn’t cruise through his three-setter, coming from behind to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
“I continued to settle [Dobrin] down and stay calm and implement his game plan, which he forgets,” Starke said. “He is like a boxer who will grind you out.”
The Bearcats are now on a five-game winning streak and have won eight of their last nine matches. BU’s next match will be against UMBC at home Saturday at 1 p.m. Starke is trying to keep his team focused on that match, and not their following one on Monday at home against America East foe Stony Brook.
“My job is to make sure they don’t look past it,” Starke said. “For me, Stony Brook is a little ways off.”