Friday, April 23
Bethlehem, Pa.
3:00 p.m.
Lehigh University
4
vs
3
Boston
Mountain Hawks advance to Semifinals with a thrilling win over Boston
4/23/2021 7:43:00 PM | Men's Tennis
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Th Lehigh men's tennis team topped the Boston University Terriers in a back-and-forth exchange in the Patriot League Quarterfinals on Friday evening. With the 4-3 win, the Mountain Hawks will now go up against the No. 2 seeded Army West Point Black Knights on Saturday at 3PM at the Ulrich Tennis Courts.
"I'm so proud of our team," said head coach Wouter Hendrix with a smile. "Boston isn't a No. 6 seed. Our guys stuck together and moments like this is why I coach. This is one of the matches that I will never forget in my life, and seeing the enjoyment and smiles from our guys means everything to me."
Competing in front of their own families and friends, the Mountain Hawks sent a message early by winning the doubles point. Competing with new doubles partners for the first time this year, Zack Elliott and Harry Wang each led the No1 and No. 2 teams to 6-0 and 6-1 victories. Steven Nazaroff paired with Elliott and Jacob Edelchik paired with Wang.
Despite failing to obtain the doubles point, the Terriers didn't back down. Boston took the No. 3 victory in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Jordan Paul and Edelchik both notched victories in straight sets for the Mountain Hawks. Paul took the No. 5 spot by a score of 6-2, 6-3, while Edelchik's victory ended up 6-1, 6-4.
With Lehigh leading 3-1, momentum turned with Boston gaining advantage late in the singles matches. The Terriers were leading late in the third set in the last three decisive matches. Elliott (3-6, 6-4, 6-3) and Wang (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) both ended up dropping their matches to their opponents even after taking the first sets.
With the match coming down to the No. 6 spot deadlocked at three, Gary Fishkin and Boston's Jose Maria Robalino put on a show for the fans. In the third and final set, Fishkin trailed 3-0 and things were not looking good for the Mountain Hawks, however Fishkin's grit and determination was enough to send the match to tiebreakers. Fishkin was ahead 6-3 in the tiebreaker but Robalino stormed back to again tie the match, however Lehigh's junior mustered enough energy and took down Robalino to seal the deal.
"Our guys kept faith. It's a luxury having a deep team. We have guys that every single day and they push each other to get better. The energy this team brings and the chemistry they have is incredible. We have guys who can compete and win against anybody in the league.
Up next, the Mountain Hawks and the Black Knights will compete at 3 PM on Saturday. Army West Point blew by Loyola (Md.) by a 7-0 score earlier in the day.
SINGLES
No. 1 Zack Elliott – Bogatin: L, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 Harry Wang – Lu: L, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
No. 3 Matt Kleiman – Siozios: L, 6-4, 6-3
No. 4 Jacob Edelchik – Hartenstein: W, 6-1, 6-4
No. 5 Jordan Paul – Sajonz: W, 6-2, 6-3
No. 6 Gary Fishkin – Robalino: W, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8)
DOUBLES
No. 1 Elliott/Nazaroff – Robalino/Lu: W, 6-0
No. 2 Wang/Edelchik – Bogatin/Sajonz: W, 6-1
No. 3 Learner/Kleiman – Siozios/Hartenstein: 3-4 DNF
Gallery: (4-23-2021) Men's Tennis vs. Boston University, PL Quarterfinals
"I'm so proud of our team," said head coach Wouter Hendrix with a smile. "Boston isn't a No. 6 seed. Our guys stuck together and moments like this is why I coach. This is one of the matches that I will never forget in my life, and seeing the enjoyment and smiles from our guys means everything to me."
It's time!!! #GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/TaJgQUmDJd
— Lehigh Tennis (@LehighTennis) April 23, 2021
Competing in front of their own families and friends, the Mountain Hawks sent a message early by winning the doubles point. Competing with new doubles partners for the first time this year, Zack Elliott and Harry Wang each led the No1 and No. 2 teams to 6-0 and 6-1 victories. Steven Nazaroff paired with Elliott and Jacob Edelchik paired with Wang.
Despite failing to obtain the doubles point, the Terriers didn't back down. Boston took the No. 3 victory in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Jordan Paul and Edelchik both notched victories in straight sets for the Mountain Hawks. Paul took the No. 5 spot by a score of 6-2, 6-3, while Edelchik's victory ended up 6-1, 6-4.
With Lehigh leading 3-1, momentum turned with Boston gaining advantage late in the singles matches. The Terriers were leading late in the third set in the last three decisive matches. Elliott (3-6, 6-4, 6-3) and Wang (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) both ended up dropping their matches to their opponents even after taking the first sets.
With the match coming down to the No. 6 spot deadlocked at three, Gary Fishkin and Boston's Jose Maria Robalino put on a show for the fans. In the third and final set, Fishkin trailed 3-0 and things were not looking good for the Mountain Hawks, however Fishkin's grit and determination was enough to send the match to tiebreakers. Fishkin was ahead 6-3 in the tiebreaker but Robalino stormed back to again tie the match, however Lehigh's junior mustered enough energy and took down Robalino to seal the deal.
MOVING ON!!! Gary Fishkin's tie-breaking victory seals the victory for @LehighTennis #GoLehigh pic.twitter.com/Eb6lZo0nvJ
— Lehigh Sports (@LehighSports) April 23, 2021
"Our guys kept faith. It's a luxury having a deep team. We have guys that every single day and they push each other to get better. The energy this team brings and the chemistry they have is incredible. We have guys who can compete and win against anybody in the league.
Up next, the Mountain Hawks and the Black Knights will compete at 3 PM on Saturday. Army West Point blew by Loyola (Md.) by a 7-0 score earlier in the day.
SINGLES
No. 1 Zack Elliott – Bogatin: L, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 Harry Wang – Lu: L, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
No. 3 Matt Kleiman – Siozios: L, 6-4, 6-3
No. 4 Jacob Edelchik – Hartenstein: W, 6-1, 6-4
No. 5 Jordan Paul – Sajonz: W, 6-2, 6-3
No. 6 Gary Fishkin – Robalino: W, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8)
DOUBLES
No. 1 Elliott/Nazaroff – Robalino/Lu: W, 6-0
No. 2 Wang/Edelchik – Bogatin/Sajonz: W, 6-1
No. 3 Learner/Kleiman – Siozios/Hartenstein: 3-4 DNF
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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