By MAX PRINZ
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The Fordham men’s tennis team defeated Hofstra on the road this past weekend. With the win, the team improves to 8-10 on the year.
Before the Hofstra matchup, the Rams played a weekday match with the Bobcats of Quinnipiac. It was the last home match of the season for the Rams, and senior day for Ben Kelly and Alex DeRienzo.
The match began with doubles play. Sophomores Max Peara and J.J. Tauil teamed up at first doubles, winning their match 8-6. Juniors Matty Najfeld and Kuba Kowalski blew away the competition at second doubles, winning 8-0. Fordham secured the doubles point, gaining that always important momentum heading into singles play.
“It was really significant that we took both doubles points from both Quinnipiac and Hofstra,” said senior Ben Kelly. “The doubles point was pivotal in the 4-3 win and helped us close early against Hofstra. Our doubles play has really picked up in the last few weeks and we’re making sure it carries over into A-10 conference play at the end of the month.”
Najfeld led off the singles play with a 6-3, 6-2 win, giving Fordham a 2-0 lead in the match. Kowalski lost his fourth singles match 6-1, 6-3 to put Quinnipiac on the board. Sophomore Srikar Alla next won at first singles, with sophomore Michael Puntillo following suit. Those wins at first and sixth singles sealed the deal for Fordham, and the Rams defeated Quinnipiac 4-3.
The Rams next traveled to Hempstead, N.Y. for the match with Hofstra. The Rams yet again opened the match taking the doubles point. Kowalski and Najfeld notched an 8-0 second doubles win. Peara and Tauil held on for an 8-6 third doubles win, giving the Rams the doubles point and a confidence boost.
Singles play brought the Rams more success. Najfeld got singles play started with a 6-4, 6-2 second singles win. Peara, playing at sixth singles, did his job as well. He defeated Pedro Gimenez 6-1, 6-2. Alla was unable to secure a Fordham victory, losing a tough three-setter to Ari Richman 7-6, 1-6, 6-3. Kowalski made the match even closer, losing his match 7-6, 6-2. But Michael Puntillo pulled out a three set win to give the Rams the victory. He defeated Ryhaan Gill 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, making the final score 4-2 in favor of Fordham.
“The memorable takeaway from both Quinnipiac and Hofstra was that both victories were clinched by Mike [Puntillo],” said Kelly. “It’s great to have Mike finishing the season very strong for us.”
With the two wins Fordham improves to 8-10 on the season. The Rams face off with Richmond on Saturday April 20 in their last match of the regular season.
