BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University men's tennis team posted a 7-2 Little East Conference victory over visiting Salem State University on Saturday afternoon at blustery Rosen Memorial Tennis Courts.
The host Bears improve to 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in the Little East, while the Vikings fall to 0-6 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The Bears swept all three of the doubles flights, and won four of the six singles matches in their first home match of the season.
Bridgewater's top flight doubles tandem of seniors Matt McGee (Warren, R.I.) and Chris Jastrab (Chicago, Ill.) earned a tough 9-8 decision with a 7-5 tie-breaker. Seniors Justin Haley (South Yarmouth, Mass.) and Michael Delisle (Berkley, Mass.) posted an 8-3 win at the second spot, while sophomore Alexander Belinsky (Norton, Mass.) and junior Zachary Mutti (Peabody, Mass.) paired up for an 8-5 victory at number three.
In singles play, Jastrab (6-3, 6-2), Haley (6-4, 6-4) and Belinsky (6-4, 6-3) each won in straight sets at the second, third and fifth flights, respectively, for the Bears. Belinsky's triumph gave the Bears the deciding fifth point.
Delisle batted back from a set down to record a 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 10-8 win at number four.
Sophomore Chen Chen (Lawrence, Mass.) earned a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 decision at the top singles flight for the Vikings. Salem also received a hard-fought win from senior Jacob Averka (Sutton, Mass.) at the sixth spot, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-4.
In upcoming action, the Bears host Wentworth on Monday afternoon at three. The Vikings travel to Regis College on Tuesday afternoon to take on the Pride at 4:30.