Hounds Open Landmark Season with 5-4 Win over USMMA
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Sophomore Giovanni Lombardi posted a three-set win at fifth singles to finish the match and clinch a 5-4 victory for the Moravian College men’s tennis team as the Greyhounds began the 2015 Landmark Conference season with a win over The United States Merchant Marine Academy Sunday afternoon at chilly Hoffman Courts.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Sophomore Giovanni Lombardi posted a three-set win at fifth singles to finish the match and clinch a 5-4 victory for the Moravian College men's tennis team as the Greyhounds began the 2015 Landmark Conference season with a win over The United States Merchant Marine Academy Sunday afternoon at chilly Hoffman Courts.
"USMMA is a quality team, much improved over last year," commented Head Coach Art Smith. "This was an excellent win for us, especially after coming back from a 2-1 deficit in doubles. We played very hard in both doubles and singles."
The match was postponed one day after snow on Friday blanketed the courts, and the squads played through a cold breeze Sunday as the temperature was in the upper 30s for the start of the contest.
The Mariners would have a 2-1 lead after the doubles action. The Hounds had a brief 1-0 lead after Lombardi and senior Lewis Cooper posted an 8-2 win at second doubles but USMMA earned victories in the other two doubles matches including a hard-fought third doubles contest, 8-6.
Cooper would tie the match at 2-2 with a 6-1, 6-0 triumph at third singles for the Blue & Grey while sophomore Dan Schmucker put Moravian back in front, 3-2, by posting a 6-4, 6-2 win at fourth singles. The Mariners earned a straight sets victory at second singles to tie the match while the Greyhounds pulled back in front, 4-3, when junior C.J. Widdifield recorded a 6-4, 6-2 win at sixth singles.
Once again, USMMA tied the match with a victory at first singles. Moravian junior Matt Tuorto had won the first set at the top spot before falling in three sets. Lombardi was the final Greyhound on the court at fifth singles. He won the opening set, 7-5, but fell in the second set, 6-3. Lombardi rallied for a 6-1 win in the third set to secure the team victory.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, March 24 when the squad welcomes Ursinus College to Hoffman Courts for a non-conference match starting at 4:00 p.m.
