Stevens Men's Tennis Tops Ithaca for Empire 8 Three-Peat
ITHACA, N.Y. (May 6, 2012) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men’s tennis team won its third consecutive Empire 8 Conference crown – all three at the expense of Ithaca College – on the Bombers’ home courts in Upstate New York on Sunday. Sophomore Andrew Riggs (Auburn, Calif.) won all of his singles and doubles matches on the way to being named Most Valuable Player.
The Ducks won two of three doubles matches to open the action on Sunday. Riggs and Nicolas Rosasco (Alpine, N.J.) won handily (8-2) at twos. Unexpectedly, the Ducks fell at first doubles, leaving the Stevens third doubles duo of sophomore Derek Smith (Boise, Idaho) and freshman Daniel Szwarc (Metuchen, N.J.) to decide the swing match. The underclassmen were up to the task, winning a taught 8-6 decision with all eyes upon them.
As the match shifted to singles play, it became clear that Riggs was dominating his twos match and he quickly won 6-1, 6-1. The next pairing to finish was at fours, where Rosasco won 6-4, 6-2 to put the Ducks one match away from the title.
On the far courts, the Bombers stayed alive with wins at both fifth and sixth singles to make the score 4-3.
Junior Shota Tasaki (Greenwich, Conn.) finally clinched the match for Stevens with a 6-1, 6-1 win at third singles as play halted there and his teammates gathered around to offer congratulations.
Chris Rosensteel was serving for championship point in his match when play ended, leaving the unfinished score 6-1, 5-4.