For the sixth straight season, Binghamton men’s tennis captured the America East championship on Sunday to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament. The top-seeded Bearcats (16-9), who did not lose a point in the conference tournament, used a 4-0 sweep of UMBC in the final to garner an eight-match winning streak heading into the NCAAs.
Binghamton head coach Adam Cohen said his players’ dedication and teamwork have been key to the program’s success in the conference tournament over the years.
“They understand the concept of team,” Cohen said. “Everybody plays hard for each other. Everybody knows that they need to work hard for each other.”
To advance to the finals, the Bearcats beat Hartford 4-0 on Friday afternoon in the semifinals match.
“We wanted to come out and be very business-like,” Cohen said. “I thought that we came out and played good in doubles, took care of business and did the same in singles.”
The doubles point was clinched at the No. 1 and 3 spots. The tandem of senior Bastian Bornkessel and freshman Sid Hazarika won their match 8-4, while sophomores Robin Lesage and Ismael Dinia won their doubles match 8-0.
Cohen said that while he was concerned about his team’s doubles play earlier in the season, he thinks it has improved significantly during the winning streak.
“I was definitely pleased with the amount of energy and enthusiasm that we displayed throughout doubles,” Cohen said. “If we can keep bringing that kind of intensity to the court, moving forward, I think we’ll always play better doubles.”
The Bearcats won their singles matches at No. 2, 4 and 5 to advance to the final round of the tournament. BU freshman Alexander Maisin secured his match, 6-1, 6-1, over Hawks’ senior Josh Isaacson. Dinia won his match, 6-2, 6-0, while junior Ruben Haggai also took care of his opponent in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.
It was more of the same for the Bearcats in their match against UMBC.
No. 1 Bornkessel and Hazarika defeated the Retrievers’ duo of freshman Justin Carter and senior Gaulthier Berret, 8-3, while No. 2 Haggai and freshman Eliott Hureau also won their match 8-3 to clinch the doubles point.
Hazarika, Dinia and Haggai earned wins in their singles matches to help the Bearcats clinch an NCAA appearance. Haggai was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
“I just thought [Haggai has] had a good run of late,” Cohen said. “He sort of kept the momentum going. I think he should be awarded for what he’s done over the last few weeks, months.”
Haggai won his 14th straight singles match with his 6-1, 6-1 victory Sunday afternoon.
Cohen said he is not worried about the tough opponent he knows Binghamton will face in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
“I don’t expect our guys to be intimidated,” Cohen said. “We’ll still ask them to prepare like we’ve been preparing all year, and practice hard.”
The NCAA is scheduled to announce its 64-team tournament field today, and the Bearcats are expected join the media and fans at 5 p.m. in the Events Center’s TAU Bearcat Room to watch the bracket unveiling. The show can be watched live on www.ncaa.com.