Arce, Hart lead Bonnies vs. Xavier, Niagara
2/07/2005

2/07/05 - St. Bonaventure senior Mario Arce and Sophomore Andrew Hart (pictured) led the Bonnies to a 1-1 record this past weekend.  The team defeated Niagara 5-2 but dropped a disappointing 4-3 decision to A-10 rival Xavier.  Both players were undefeated in singles and doubles this past weekend.

Against Xavier, a team that the Bonnies beat twice in the 2003-2004 season, the Bonnies came out strong in doubles but failed to maintain their energy heading into singles.  Arce and senior Nikhil Murali won 8-2 at #1 doubles.  Hart and sophomore Dejan Stankovic scored a second victory, winning 8-6 at #2. Sophomore Alejandro Nery and senior Sajeel Qureshi won at #3 9-8.  The Bonnies led 1-0 heading into singles action.  In other action freshman Steven Steenland and senior Matt Cronmiller dropped a competitive doubles match against Xavier.

Arce was a straight set winner at #1 singles and pushed the Bonnies lead to 2-0.  Stankovic suffered a straight set defeat at #4 singles to cut the lead to 2-1.  Stankovic had defeated his opponent twice last year but was unable to capitalize on a 3-0 second set lead.  Nery also dropped a straight-set decision at #3 and the score was tied 2-2 with Murali, Qureshi and Hart on court.  Qureshi dropped a straight set decision at #6 and Xavier took the lead.  Murali dropped another tough 3-set decision to put Xavier up for good and 4-2. Hart would end up scoring the final point for the Bonnies, a 3-set victory at #5 singles.

On Sunday against Niagara, the Bonnies would again dominate the doubles and won all 3 matches.  Steenland and sophomore Sean Horan dropped their exhibition doubles match in a competitive match. In the singles Arce, Hart, Stankovic and Nery all had convincing straight set victories.  Murali dropped a straight-set decision at #3 singles and Qureshi dropped a 3-set decision at #6 despite having two match points, making the final score 5-2 in favor of the Bonnies.

LOOKING AHEAD

Andrew Hart won 2 matches in both singles and doubles this past weekend against Xavier and Niagara.  The sophomore has a team-best 6 doubles wins in the spring season.

The Bonnies head on the road for two matches against regional rivals Penn State and Pennsylvania.  The Bonnies were defeated 6-1 by both teams last year.  The competition will be strong and the Bonnies will look to improve on their lack-luster performances of late.