PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Lehigh tuned up for Thursday’s crucial showdown versus Bucknell by putting forth a tough effort in a 5-2 loss to Rutgers Tuesday at the Rutgers Tennis Complex. The Mountain Hawks won one singles match and a pair of doubles matches, but fall to 12-6 on the season. Rutgers improves to 7-9 with the win.
“This was a good test for us,” said Lehigh head coach Dave Shook. “They (Rutgers) are a very good team, they finished second in the Big East last year. Our goal was to come out and compete and get ready for Thursday, and I thought we did a great job in that aspect.”
The Mountain Hawks got an impressive win at first doubles, as senior Randall Smalley and sophomore John Nespoli defeated a regionally touted Scarlet Knight tandem. Rutgers claimed the first point after junior Ryan Lloyd and freshman Drew Balshi were edged 8-6 at third doubles.
In singles play, Smalley and Nespoli were winners once again. Smalley got a win when top Rutgers player Tyler Deming retired with an injury. Nespoli added a win for the Mountain Hawks at fifth singles, but Rutgers players earned wins in the other four flights.
The Brown and White will return to the Ulrich Varsity Courts on Thursday, when the Mountain Hawks host Bucknell at 3:00 pm. Lehigh needs a win in its regular season finale to keep its postseason hopes alive.
