Melbourne, Fla.- The Barry University men’s tennis team started the 2007 season with a Sunshine State Conference win over Florida Tech University on Saturday afternoon, 8-1.
The Bucs started with a strong 3-0 lead in doubles play. Patrick Rittenauer and Roman Werschel were successful in defeating Clifford Giel and Keith Kessler at number one doubles, 8-4. Seniors Dirk Benninghaus and Victor Rodriguez teamed up to defeat Jonathan Hanna and Christian Smith, 8-1, while freshman Andrew Sharnov made his first doubles appearance with junior Manuel Lauter to defeat Jeremy Casperson and Adam Outlaw, 8-1.
In singles, Barry dominated Florida Tech with Benninghaus’ 6-0, 6-0 shut out against Christian Kieber. Barry’s David Barragan was trailing in the first set 1-5 to Christian Smith, but was able to bounce back and win both sets, 7-5, 6-1. Another great victory came from Sharnov, winning five consecutive points in the match tie breaker to win, 10-8. Rodriguez also had an outstanding match in his defeat against Florida Tech’s Jonathan Hanna, 6-2, 6-2.
The Buccaneers will return home in preparations of the team’s first home match of the season against Saint Leo at 11:00 am on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Buccaneer Tennis Center.
Tennis Match Results
Barry vs Florida Tech
2/10/2007 at Florida Tech
Barry 8, Florida Tech 1
Singles competition
1. Patrick Rittenauer (BUM) def. Clifford Giel (FTM) 6-3, 6-4
2. Andrew Sharnov (BUM) def. Keith Kessler (FTM) 5-7, 7-5, 10-8
3. Dirk Bennighaus (BUM) def. Christian Kieber (FTM) 6-0, 6-0
4. Victor Rodriguez (BUM) def. Jonathan Hanna (FTM) 6-2, 6-2
5. David Fowler (FTM) def. Andrew Thornton (BUM) 6-1, 6-1
6. David Barragan (BUM) def. Christian Smith (FTM) 7-5, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Patrick Rittenauer/Roman Werschel (BUM) def. Keith Kessler/Clifford Giel (FTM) 8-4
2. Dirk Bennighaus/Victor Rodriguez (BUM) def. Jonathan Hanna/Christian Smith (FTM) 8-1
3. Andrew Sharnov/Manuel Lauter (BUM) def. Jeremy Casperson/Adam Outlaw (FTM) 8-1