Bulls Open Play With Qualifying Round of ITA Regionals
ITHACA, NY – The University at Buffalo men's tennis team began play at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships on Thursday with a pair of Bulls playing in the qualifying draw.
Freshman Ivan Vereshchaga defeated St. Bonaventure's Luis Guevera in the first round, 6-2, 6-2, as 32 players competed for eight slots in the main draw which begins on Friday. Vereshchaga was denied a spot in the main draw as he dropped his second match of the day, a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Fairfield's Ian Tesmond.
Senior Alex Kalinin also competed in the opening round of 32 falling in his match to Jesse Frieder of Boston University, 7-6 (5), 6-3.
Head coach Lee Nickell commented, "We didn't take advantage of opportunities in the two matches we lost today. Although it is disappointing to lose, we know what we need to work on before our last tournament in November."
The Bulls continue play on Friday morning as Wojciech Starakiewicz and Damien David begin doubles competition against Columbia's Winston Lin and Haig Schneiderman. Vusa Hove will play in the singles round of 128 on Friday afternoon against Harvard's Sean Chauduri. David and Starakiewicz earned first-round byes and will begin singles play on Saturday afternoon.