By MAX PRINZ

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The improvement in the weather has not translated into wins for the men’s tennis team.  The Rams have dropped three straight matches, losing to Marist 4-1, getting shut out by Xavier 7-0 and falling to Bryant 5-2.

The Rams have been bitten by the injury bug and have played much of their spring schedule without top players such as juniors Kuba Kowalski and Mischa Koran. Sophomore Srikar Alla has valiantly attempted to hold down the fort, playing well from the first position.

In the Rams’ match with Marist, Alla again stepped into the first singles position.  Alla defeated Lorenzo Rossi 6-3, 7-6 (5) for his 16th victory of the season.  Unfortunately, that was the only point of the day for the Rams, and they would lose to the Red Foxes 4-1.

Next up for the Rams was a home battle with Xavier. The Rams clearly missed Kowalski and Koran, as players were again moved up in the lineup. Alla was paired at first doubles with fellow sophomore J.J. Tauil.  Sophomore Max Peara and junior Matty Najfeld teamed up at second doubles, while senior Alex DeRienzo and sophomore Michael Puntillo made up the third doubles team.

The Musketeers were able to frustrate Fordham from the very beginning of the match. Puntillo and DeRienzo were blanked by Adam Krull and Zach Mueck, losing 8-0.  Alla and Tauil next lost their doubles match 8-6. Peara and Najfeld played the best, but also lost 8-7.

The slow start in doubles play continued on into singles. The Rams were simply overmatched and lost all six singles matches in straight sets. Najfeld put up the strongest fight, losing 7-5, 6-2. Najfeld was also the most frustrated of the Rams, receiving a point penalty from the referee after he kicked a tennis ball in anger.

Sunday’s match with Bryant University gave the Rams a shot at redemption. The team started the afternoon with lots of energy, looking strong as doubles play began.  Head coach Mickey Bzrov changed the lineup a little for the matchup with Bulldogs. Kowalski saw his first action of the spring season, playing with Najfeld at second doubles. His injury was clearly hurting him; his serves had very little on them.  He and Najfeld lost 8-2.

Despite the loss at second doubles, the Rams were able to pick up the doubles point.  Alla and Peara played at first doubles and won 8-5. A sophomore team of Puntillo and Peder Gram secured the doubles point for Fordham, defeating Dana Parziale and Phillip Kim 8-2.

The Rams could not carry the doubles success into singles. Najfeld aggravated his hamstring in doubles play and was unable to participate in singles action. This forced Puntillo into the no. 2 slot, where he lost 6-0, 6-1. Kowalski was the second Ram to go down, losing 6-1, 6-3. The Rams had already given up the advantage of the doubles point.

When Gram lost his match to Ernesto Arguello 6-3, 6-0 things looked very bleak for the Rams. Jan Krouham attempted to give the team hope, battling back against Vidith Huot and going to a third set. He was unable to pull out a victory, however, losing 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. Alla’s 7-5, 6-2 win at first singles was the Rams’ sole victory over the Bulldogs.

With the loss to Bryant the Rams fall to 6-10 on the year. They will be at home twice in the upcoming week, facing Quinnipiac on April 9 and NJIT on April 11.