Results Hempstead, NY – The Wagner men's tennis team suffered its first defeat of the season, falling to the Hofstra University Pride, 4-3, on Sunday morning from the Outdoor Tennis Courts on the campus of Hofstra University.
The Seahawks fall to 4-1 on the season while the Pride picked up its first team victory of the season in its dual match opener after competing in two invitational tournaments to open the fall season.
"Losing a match, particular by one, is always tough because on any given day either team could have walked away with the victory," commented head coach
Jason Sinkoff , who returns to his alma mater for the second time this season. "As I told the guys after the match, remember this feeling and let's build and learn from it. While we enjoyed a hot start to the year, we can use this as a motivation factor to work even harder in practice. One thing that hasn't changed is the heart and determination to compete. Every point, every game, every match, I see the team giving 100%."
The Seahawks were able to salvage a victory at No. 3 doubles as the tandem of sophomore
Charlton Boyd (Shreveport, LA/Loyola College Prep) and newcomer
Ilya Kneppelhout (Woubrugge, Netherlands/Scala College Secondary School), both of whom were recently recognized as
Corvias ECAC Player and Rookie of the Month for the month of September, defeated the pairing of Yahn Gawrit and Leonardo Pires, 6-3. Boyd and Kneppelhout remain perfect on the season as the pair improve to 7-0 overall, 4-0 in dual matches and 3-0 out of the No. 3 spot.
In singles action, newcomer
Lucas Lu (Boca Raton, FL/Boca Prep International School) earned his fifth victory of the season, with a come-from-behind, 2-6; 6-1; 6-4 victory in No. 3 action.
" Lucas played a great match today," said Sinkoff. "He went down early but was able to find a way to come out on top."
The reigning Corvais ECAC Player of the Month Boyd improved to 6-1 overall on the season and remains unbeaten in dual matches as he stands at 5-0 after securing a 6-2; 6-3 triumph over Gustav Akesson in No. 5 action. The second-year Louisiana native now holds a career mark of 24-10 (.706 win percentage).
The ECAC Rookie of the Month Kneppelhout earned his team-leading seventh victory of the year while improving to 4-0 in dual matches after edging Pires, 6-3; 6-4 at No. 6.
The Seahawks will close out the fall season on Saturday, October 24 as they welcome Patriot League member, Holy Cross to the Wagner Tennis Courts for an 11:30 am start.
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