MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph’s University men’s tennis team suffered a 4-0 defeat against the 70th-ranked Aged Dominion University Monarchs on Thursday afternoon.
The match began with a closely contested doubles competition. Saint Joseph’s duo Damir Abdusamadov and Santiago Valle found themselves in a tiebreaker, locked at 6-6 and 4-4, but ultimately did not finish their match. Old Dominion secured the doubles point by winning the second and third doubles flights. Zech Hamrouni and Piet Steveker defeated Othman Bezzaz and Ernesto Ruy 7-5, whereas Yanis Moundir and Felix Obermair topped Davi Carlos and Jakob Gaudreau Barnes 6-2.
Old Dominion continued their momentum into singles play, claiming the first three completed matches. Abdusamadov fell to Obermair in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. Steveker secured a win over Sehaj Singh Pawar with a score of 6-3, 6-4, and Moundir defeated Carlos 6-2, 6-0.
Despite the overall score, the Hawks demonstrated resilience, pushing their opponents in several matches. Santiago Valle and Ernesto Ruy both extended their singles matches to a decisive third set, but play was halted before those contests could be completed.
“The guys came to battle against a perennial NCAA tournament team today,” said Saint Joseph’s head coach Jeff Puhan. “We set ourselves in position to win the doubles point. We split on first and second singles and had chances at three, four, and five. I’m really proud of these guys for battling and excited for the rest of the season!”
Saint Joseph’s will return to action on Saturday, hosting Chestnut Hill and Coppin State.
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