For Immediate Release: February 4, 2005
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton men's tennis falls to Ivy League power Columbia, 6-1

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Binghamton men's tennis team (3-1) opened its "spring" season with a 6-1 loss to host Columbia (4-0) Friday afternoon at the Dick Savitt Center. The match was the first of four in a three-day span for the Bearcats, two-time defending America East champions.

"It was a very spirited and well-fought match," head coach Michael Starke said. "We played well and showed promise against a team that I think will be ranked in the top-5 in the region. I think this match will set us up to play good tennis the rest of the weekend."

In the highlight match, sophomore No. 1 Dan Hanegby (Herzliya, Israel) rolled over former Binghamton standout Akshay Rao, 6-1, 6-4. Playing in front of a strong Binghamton alumni contingent, Hanegby raised his record to 13-3 with the surprisingly-easy victory. Hanegby ended the fall campaign ranked 14th in the Northeast, while Rao was 10th.

"Dan played unbelievable," Starke said. "It was a great exhibition of tennis that was certainly worth viewing."

The Bearcats continue their busy weekend with an away contest Saturday at Marist. Binghamton then takes on Army and UConn Sunday at West Point.

DOUBLES
1. Rao/Robbin (C) def. Hanegby/O'Connor (BU) 9-8 (7-5)
2. J. Moore/M. Moore (C) def. Mourad/Gerard (BU), 8-2
3. Emany/Clemente (C) def. Dobrin/Bonnet (BU), 8-5

SINGLES
1. Dan Hanegby (BU) def. Akshay Rao (C), 6-1, 6-4
2. Rajeev Emany (C) def. Richemn Mourad (BU), 6-2, 6-7, 6-3
3. Jimmy Moore (C) def. Alex Dobrin (BU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Mark Clemente(C) def. Brian O'Connor (BU), 6-2, 6-1
5. Jared Drucker (C) def. Edwin Gerard (BU), 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
6. Marty Moore (C) Jon Bonnet (BU), 6-1, 6-0