College students around the nation fled to Florida over spring break. While most of them were there to relax and party, the Binghamton men’s tennis team traveled south to play four matches in three days.

BU (10-5) came up victorious in three of those matches, with the one loss coming at the start of the trip.

The Bearcats were defeated by Stetson 6-1, but head coach Michael Starke knows the match was closer than the score indicated. Senior Richemn Mourad lost 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8), while sophomore Faisal Mohamed lost 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

“Richemn and Faisal came a point away from winning; we played well,” said Starke of the four-and-a-half hour match.

“If me and [Mohamed] pulled out those matches, it would have been 4-3,” Mourad said. “Every match was close.”

The Bearcats rebounded, however, and beat Cleveland State the following night 6-1. After losing the doubles point, BU went on to win all six singles matches in straight sets.

“We looked sharp and got used to the heat and outdoor courts,” Starke said.

BU, whose match didn’t end until late into the evening, played the following morning against Valparaiso. Despite the lack of sleep, the Bearcats won 5-2. BU won the doubles point and then four of the six singles matches.

The Bearcats’ work wasn’t done yet, as that very same day they had to face Carthage. But the busy schedule seemed to have no effect on the team, as they won 7-0. Mourad and junior Aurielo Martinez won their fourth straight match at second doubles, while sophomore Mark Piro won his fourth straight at sixth singles.

“It’s good to play with him,” Mourad said of his doubles partner. “We are good friends and we have chemistry.”

The great tennis, however, was overshadowed by some on-court confrontations in several of the matches.

“It’s unfortunate,” Starke said. “It takes away from the team and the reflection that we are playing well. We are so close to greatness, yet we keep shooting ourselves in the foot. We need to behave like gentleman and we will from here on in. I guarantee it. We will make any fan come out there and be proud of us.”

The fans will get their chance on April 1 when the Bearcats host Quinnipiac at the West Gym Courts.

“This is the time to polish, to keep the spirits up, to gel our doubles and put out a lineup that will be proud to represent our school,” Starke said. “My resolve is to go forward with great behavior and set the tone. I am setting the tone.”