MILTON, Mass. – The Curry College men's tennis team edged visiting Bridgewater State University, 5-4, in a tightly contested match on Wednesday afternoon at the Trent J. Scott Tennis Courts.
The host Colonels picked up the their first win of the season as they improve to 1-6. The Bears fall to 1-2 with their second straight setback.
Curry led 2-1 after doubles play. Junior Aidan Roach (Norwell, Mass.) and senior Richie Hefler (Canton, Conn.) earned an 8-6 win at the top doubles flight for the Colonels, while senior Dawson Stento (Wellesley Hills, Mass.) and freshman Lorenzo Russo (Lynnfield, Mass.) teamed up for an 8-4 triumph at the second spot.
Junior Joshua Bean (Kingston, Mass.) and senior Stephen Reddington (West Bridgewater, Mass.) posted an 8-3 decision at the third flight for the Bears' lone double point.
Reddington, who was competing in his first match in a BSU uniform, opened singles-play scoring with a 6-0, 6-1 straight set win at number six to tie the match at 2-2.
Russo put the Colonels back on top with a 6-1, 6-1 straight set victory at the fourth flight, but BSU freshman Kendan DeBlois (Hadley, N.Y.) wrapped up his 6-2, 6-2 straight set decision at number five to even the score at 3-3.
Roach won the battle of the top flight singles players, 6-2, 6-0, to reclaim the advantage for Curry. That lead was short-lived, however, as another Bridgewater State freshman, Colin Lamusta (Lynnfield, Mass.), won 6-4, 6-2 at the second flight to knot the score at 4-4.
Hefler secured the deciding fifth point for the Colonels with a tough 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 decision at number three.
Both teams are home on Saturday. The Bears open Little East Conference play at noon against Salem State University, while the Colonels take on Commonwealth Coast Conference rival Nichols College at 10:30 AM.