Sep 16, 2008
The Allegheny men’s tennis team nearly knocked off NCAA Division II Mercyhurst for the second straight year, but fell just short as it lost, 5-4, at the Robertson Complex.
The Gators opened up the match with a 3-0 lead as it swept the doubles portion. The first team of Matt Chiricosta (Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Ignatius) and Ben Hurtuk (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Chagrin Falls) bested Mercyhurst’s Tim Hansson and Mike Aronson, 9-7.
At second doubles, Matt Spriegel (Wibraham, Mass./Winnechaug) and Jake Allmaras (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) defeated Mijo Cotic and Adam Marnik, 8-2, while Evan Gordon (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) and Eric Roginek (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) handled Kyle King and Ronald Heurich, 9-7, at No. 3 doubles.
After that, the Lakers took five of the final six points, culminating in Chiricosta’s dramatic third set against Hansson at first singles. The drama ended with Hansson ahead, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).
Hurtuk won at fourth singles as he defeated Marnik, 6-3, 6-3.
Allegheny (0-3) will be in action next on Saturday when it visits Robert Morris for an 11 a.m. start.