Quinnipiac University
University of Connecticut
Yannone, QU Men’s Tennis Closes Strong on Final Day at UConn Invitational
9/18/2016 8:10:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Storrs, Conn. – Quinnipiac men's tennis freshman Austin Yannone (Severna Park, Maryland) was able to win the Flight "C" singles championship, aiding the team's strong finish on the final day of competition at the UConn Invitational Sunday afternoon.
Along with Yannone winning the Flight "C" singles championship, senior Kei Ezaka (Ojai, California) was able to win the Consolation "A" singles championship.
The Bobcats began the day in the Flight "B" singles semifinals, where freshman Axel Stern (Tustin, California) took on Boston University's Mario Sandoval for a spot in the championship round. Stern took the first set 6-4 but dropped the second 2-6. However, Stern was able to muster up a win in the final set, downing Sandoval 10-5.
In the championship round, Stern was met by Bryant's Guido Argentini. Argentini took the first set 6-4, but Stern was able to battle back and win the second 7-6. However, Stern would fall just short of the complete comeback, falling in the championship final set 10-8.
In the Flight "C" semifinals, Yannone matched up against Bryant's Oliver Welsh. Yannone took the first set 6-2, then dropped the second 1-6. But Yannone was able to finish strong and take the third set 10-8, advancing to the championship.
Yannone was met by Boston University's Jake De Vries, who took the first set 7-6 in tiebreakers. However, the freshman showed poise and Yannone was able to comeback and win the final two sets 6-0 and 10-7, claiming the Flight "C" singles championship.
In the Flight "D" semifinals, freshman Patrick Cachapero (Loma Linda, California) was met by Jorge Isaias Ortiz-Garcia of Bryant. Unfortunately, Cachapero was unable to best Ortiz-Garcia, falling in straight sets 6-3 and 6-1.
In the Consolation "A" semifinals, Ezaka faced Mikhail Belov of Merrimack and bested him 7-5 and 6-4 in straight sets. Ezaka went on to face Artur Jakubowski of Bryant in the championship round. Ezaka was able to pull out the victory, besting Jakubowski 6-3 and 6-2 in straight sets, winning the Consolation "A" singles championship.
The Bobcats closed the day in the Consolation "D" singles bracket, where freshman Jackson Koke (Alberta, Calgary) was competing for a spot in the championship round, but first he had to get past Anthony Santino of Sacred Heart. Koke was able to defeat Santino, only to be met by Scott Plutt of Bryant. Koke battled hard but Plutt was able to narrowly escape with the win 7-5 and 7-6 in a tiebreaker and straight sets.
The Quinnipiac men's tennis team will return to action on Friday, Sept. 23 when they travel to Yale to participate in the Connecticut State Championships beginning at 10 A.M. before continuing on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25 with play beginning at 10 A.M.
Flight "B" Singles:
Stern (QU) def. Sandoval (Boston University): 6-4, 2-6, 10-5
Argentini (Bryant) def. Stern (QU): 6-4, 6-7, 10-8
Flight "C" Singles:
Yannone (QU) def. Welsh (Bryant): 6-2, 1-6, 10-8
Yannone (QU) def. De Vries (Boston University): 6-7 (9), 6-0, 10-7
Flight "D" Singles:
I. Ortiz (Bryant) def. Cachapero (QU): 6-3, 6-1
Consolation "A" Singles:
Ezaka (QU) def. Belov (Merrimack): 7-5, 6-4
Ezaka (QU) def. Jakubowski (Bryant): 6-3, 6-2
Consolation "D" Singles:
Koke (QU) def. Santino (Sacred Heart)
S. Plutt (Bryant) def. Koke (QU): 7-5, 7-6 (6)
Players Mentioned
