Men’s Tennis Clipped by American International, 5-4
Bennett wins at fourth singles
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Brewer, along with Gilhuly, nearly pulled out what would have been a match-changing point at first doubles against AIC on Friday afternoon.MILFORD, N.H. (April 12, 2013) – Freshman Drew Bennett (Rindge, N.H.) picked up a win at fourth singles on Friday afternoon, but the Franklin Pierce University men's tennis team was defeated, 5-4, by American International in Northeast-10 Conference, neutral-site play at Hampshire Hills Sports and Fitness Club.
With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 2-6 (1-6 Northeast-10), while American International improves to 6-4 (4-4 Northeast-10). With the win, AIC clinched a spot in the upcoming Northeast-10 Championship. The match was originally scheduled to be played at Franklin Pierce, but was relocated to an indoor facility due to inclement weather.
Franklin Pierce was spotted three points out of the gate, as American International defaulted at fifth and sixth singles, as well as third doubles, but the Ravens would only pick up one other point. The team's fourth point would come after the match was decided, when Bennett picked up an 8-3 win over AIC senior Jakub Simicek in the pro set format at fourth singles.
Earlier, AIC rattled off five straight points to take the match and punch its ticket to the postseason. Franklin Pierce's first doubles team of junior Pat Gilhuly (Killingworth, Conn.) and sophomore Chris Brewer (Brattleboro, Vt.) nearly put a stop to the parade, as they hung right with freshmen Thijs Bik and Kenzo Kauffmann. The match went long, before Bik and Kauffmann ultimately prevailed, 9-7. Meanwhile, at second doubles, Simicek and freshman Cass Schwab rolled to an 8-3 win.
In singles play, the Yellow Jackets lost just six games in the first three singles matches on the way to the win. Schwab bettered Gilhuly at first singles, 6-2, 6-0, while Bik beat Brewer by the same score at second singles and Kauffmann won at third singles, 6-1, 6-1.
The Ravens return to the court on Saturday, April 13, when they return home to host Saint Anselm in a Northeast-10 Conference match at 11 a.m.
For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce tennis apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).