April 15, 2005

The men's tennis team lost to Gordon, 8-1, yesterday in a conference contest that featured several tight matches. First-year player Nate Buell posted the only win for the Gulls with a convincing 6-2, 6-4 win at \#6 singles. Endicott, however, nearly notched several other victories.

Nick Bayrouty was edged 7-5 in a third-set tie-breaker at \#2 singles after he lost the first set 1-6 but took the second 6-1. At \#2 doubles, Matthew Nolan and Craig Cohen were a game from victory when they led 7-6 only to see Gordon rally and claim a 9-7 win. Freshman Parker Olen, playing \#1 singles, lost in a hard fought, 3-set singles match, 2-6, 6-3, 2-6. Craig Cohen at \#3 singles and Ben Bettez at \#5 singles also came out on the short end of close matches, Cohen falling 3-6, 4-6, and Bettez getting edged 5-7, 2-6.

"We're competing well," said Coach Mark Herlihy. "With more experience, the guys will learn how to close out more sets and matches. I keep reminding them how young we are and that five of our six starters are playing their first year of collegiate tennis." The Gulls host Eastern Nazarene on Saturday at 1pm.