Sophomore Brett Armstrong clinched the huge NE-10 win with his straight-sets victory at No. 6 singles. |
Armstrong clinches key NE-10 win to give Skyhawks home court for opening round of NE-10 Tournament next week
EASTON, Mass. (April 11, 2012) – Stonehill College, ranked eighth in the NCAA Division II East Regional rankings, clinched home court advantage for the opening round of the upcoming Northeast-10 Conference Tournament with a 5-4 triumph over Adelphi University in NE-10 men's tennis action at Charles Watt Tennis Courts this evening.
Senior Aaron Bergeron (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) and junior Chris Martin (Darien, Conn./Darien) were both double-winners to lead Stonehill to the big win. The duo combined for an 8-5 victory at No. 1 doubles over Adelphi juniors Andreas Hammar (Norrtalje, Sweden) and Adrish Tewarie (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) as the Skyhawks carried a 2-1 advantage following doubles play. Martin the cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Panthers freshman Ryan Villarruel (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's Boys) at No. 3 singles, while Bergeron was leading 6-2, 5-3 when Tewarie retired due to injury.
Sophomore Brett Armstrong (Manville, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) sealed the win for Stonehill with his 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Adelphi sophomore Richard Ferguson (Franklin Square, N.Y./Holy Trinity) at No. 6 singles. Sophomore Nick Hyzak (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) and freshman Eric Ringstad (Fairbanks, Alaska/Monroe Catholic) teamed up for an 8-6 decision at No. 2 doubles for the Skyhawks.
Freshman Chiwete Njokanma (Lagos, Nigeria) was a double-winner for Adelphi, who erased the 2-1 deficit following doubles play by winning two of the top three singles flights before Stonehill sealed the win by winning two of the bottom three matches. Njokanma teamed up with classmate Ryan White (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) for the Panthers lone doubles point with an 8-5 win at No. 3. Njokanma followed with a 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-4 triumph at No. 2 singles over Hyzak.
Hammar rallied for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Ringstad at No. 1 singles, while junior Bryan Kallenberg (Port Washington, N.Y./Schreiber) claimed a 6-2, 6-4 verdict against Stonehill freshman Thomas Alaimo (North Andover, Mass./Central Catholic) at No. 4 singles.
Stonehill (14-3, 8-2 NE-10) closes out the regular season on Friday when it hosts Merrimack College, ranked fourth in the region, at Watt Courts at 3 p.m. Adelphi (7-10, 6-4 NE-10) hosts Post University on Friday at 3 p.m.
Stonehill 5, Adelphi 4
Singles
1. Andreas Hammar (ADE) def. Eric Ringstad (STO) 1-6, 6-4, 6-0
2. Chiwete Njokanma (ADE) def. Nick Hyzak (STO) 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-4
3. Chris Martin (STO) def. Ryan Villarruel (ADE) 6-3, 6-1
4. Bryan Kallenberg (ADE) def. Thomas Alaimo (STO) 6-2, 6-4
5. Aaron Bergeron (STO) def. Adrish Tewarie (ADE) 6-2, 5-3, retired
6. Brett Armstrong (STO) def. Richard Ferguson (ADE) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles
1. Martin/Bergeron (STO) def. Hammar/Tewarie (ADE) 8-5
2. Ringstad/Hyzak (STO) def. Villarruel/Kallenberg (ADE) 8-6
3. Njokanma/Ryan White (ADE) def. Alaimo/Armstrong (STO) 8-5
* - doubles matches played first