Men's Tennis Falls to FDU 4-3 in Spring Opener

Posted: Feb 03, 2024

Orangeburg, N.Y. – The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Tennis team opened its Spring 2024 season, dropping a 4-3 decision to perennial Division I Northeast power Fairleigh Dickinson University, on Saturday evening at Match Point Tennis Club in Orangeburg.

STAC opened the contest, taking the doubles point on the strength of victories in #1 doubles (Ondrej Sramek & Ludovico Truffelli def. Thomas Linley & Gryffin Minor), 6-2 and then #3 doubles (Seth Newman & Henry Ronnberg def. Arjun Sriram & Tauras Mickus), 6-3. The only setback came at the #2 position when Joshua Oboniye & Asaf Schwartz beat Tobias Fuerschuss & Don Vinz Lominoque, 7-6 (7-3).

In singles action, FDU took the first two matches as #1 Joshua Oboniye beat Don Vinz Lominoque (6-4, 6-2) followed by #4 Tauras Mickus defeated Seth Newman (7-6 (2), 1-6, 6-4) to take a 2-1 advantage. The Spartans then struck back, taking the next two matches with #5 Ondrej Sramek downing Asaf Schwartz (1-6, 6-2, 6-3) and #3 Tobias Fuerschuss besting Gryffin Minor (1-6, 6-4, 6-4) to retake a 3-2 lead. The visiting Knights would tie things up at 3-3 with #2 Thomas Linley taking care of his opponent Ludovico Truffelli, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4). The contest came down to the #6 singles match between Jorge Alonso-Cortes and Lennart Lehmann, with Alonso-Cortes slipping past Lehman 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (3) to help earn his team's first win of the 2023-24 campaign.

STAC 4/FDU 3 - OFFICIAL RESULTS

DOUBLES

1. Ondrej Sramek & Ludovico Truffelli (STAC) def. Thomas Linley & Gryffin Minor (FDU), 6-2

2. Joshua Oboniye & Asaf Schwartz (FDU) def. Tobias Fuerschuss & Don Vinz Lominoque (STAC), 7-6 (7-3)

3. Seth Newman & Henry Ronnberg (STAC) def. Arjun Sriram & Tauras Mickus (FDU), 6-3

Order of Finish: 1, 3*, 2

SINGLES

1. Joshua Oboniye (FDU) def. Don Vinz Lominoque (STAC) 6-4, 6-2

2. Thomas Linley (FDU) def. Ludovico Truffelli (STAC) 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4)

3. Tobias Fuerschuss (STAC) def. Gryffin Minor (FDU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4

4. Tauras Mickus (FDU) def. Seth Newman (STAC) 7-6 (2), 1-6, 6-4

5. Ondrej Sramek (STAC) def. Asaf Schwartz (FDU) 1-6, 6-2, 6-3

6. Jorge Alonso-Cortes (FDU) def. Lennart Lehmann (STAC) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (3)

Order of Finish: 1, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6*

FDU Record: 1-0, 0-0 NEC

STAC Record: 1-1, 0-0 ECC

THE ROCKHILL REPORT

"This match truly was decided by a few key points and could have gone our way", said Head Coach Dan Rockill. "In a way, the team told on itself and demonstrated the type of effort of which they are capable. We competed extremely well but hopefully now understand that this type of effort is what is required in daily practice and not just on match days."

"FDU deserves a lot of credit as they fought off several match points to come away with the win", remarked Rockhill. "It's a fun match to play every year that I believe benefits both teams."

"I am excited to get back to work and continue our preparation. This team has an opportunity to do some special things."

UP NEXT

STAC hosts Manhattanville College on Saturday, February 17 at Match Point Tennis Club with first serve scheduled for 6:45 p.m. in Orangeburg, N.Y.