Stonehill Bounces Back Against AIC, 7-2


Junior Jared Drzal didn't drop a game in posting wins for singles and doubles on Saturday. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Alaimo and Drzal lead Skyhawks to NE-10 win 

EASTON, Mass. (March 29, 2014) – Stonehill College, ranked ninth in the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II East Regional rankings, bounced back from a pair of tough one point setbacks over the last week to claim a 7-2 victory over American International College in Northeast-10 Conference men's tennis action at Charles Watt Tennis Courts today.

Juniors Tom Alaimo (North Andover, Mass./Central Catholic) and Jared Drzal (West Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) continued their good form to lead Stonehill as double-winners in the contest. Alaimo and junior Jon Sanders (Holbrook, N.Y./St. Anthony's) cruised to an 8-1 win at No. 2 doubles as the Skyhawks took two of the three doubles matches. Alaimo won his fourth straight singles match with a 6-2, 6-1 decision at No. 4 against American International junior James Worrall (Epson, England). Drzal didn't drop a single game in the contest as he and senior Nick Hyzak (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) breezed to an 8-0 win at No. 3 doubles before Drzal swept postgrad Tim Zoma (West Bloomfield, Mich./Laker Academy) 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6 singles.

Junior Eric Ringstad (Fairbanks, Alaska/Monroe Catholic) held a 6-2, 5-0 lead at No. 2 singles before AIC sophomore Boris Tiberkov (Aventura, Fla./Dr. Michael Crope Senior) retired. Sophomore Philip Klados (Lake Forest, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) swept past freshman Gustavo Franceli (Maua, Brazil) at No. 3 singles, while senior Brett Armstrong (Manville, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) posted a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 5 against freshman Alfie Cleave (Exeter, England).

Senior Cassio Scwaab (Yverdon-les-bains, Switzerland) played a role in both American International points. He and Tiberkov posted an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles against Ringstad and Armstrong. Scwaab followed that up with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles over Hyzak.

Stonehill (9-4, 5-1 NE-10) has had its scheduled NE-10 dual match at Assumption College tomorrow afternoon postponed because of the weather forecast for heavy rain. No makeup date has been announced. The Skyhawks host Southern New Hampshire University, ranked seventh in the region, for another key NE-10 clash for their Purple & White game on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. American International (0-2, 0-2 NE-10) is scheduled to host Franklin Pierce University tomorrow at 11 a.m.

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Stonehill 7, American International 2 

Singles

1. Cassio Scwaab (AIC) def. Nick Hyzak (STO) 6-2, 6-1

2. Eric Ringstad (STO) def. Boris Tiberkov (AIC) 6-2, 5-0, retired

3. Philip Klados (STO) def. Gustavo Franceli (AIC) 6-0, 6-0

4. Tom Alaimo (STO) def. James Worrall (AIC) 6-2, 6-1

5. Brett Armstrong (STO) def. Alfie Cleave (AIC) 6-2, 6-0

6. Jared Drzal (STO) def. Tim Zoma (AIC) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

1. Scwaab/Tiberkov (AIC) def. Ringstad/Armstrong (STO) 8-5

2. Alaimo/Jon Sanders (STO) def. Franceli/Worrall (AIC) 8-1

3. Hyzak/Drzal (STO) def. Cleave/Jason Popek (AIC) 8-0

 * - doubles matches played first