Marist Claims 2015 Men's Tennis Championship
MAAC Sports
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Marist Red Foxes won their third consecutive MAAC title by defeating the Monmouth Hawks, 4-2, in the 2015 MAAC Men's Tennis Championship at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, N.J.
Marist earned the doubles point with victories in the second and third positions, as Marist forced the deciding match with a victory in the first position. Justin Chanthalangsy and Matteo Guidici earned an 8-5 victory over Ale Gomez Estrada and Ramy Bekhiet in No. 2 doubles to give the Red Foxes the advantage. Monmouth tied the match after Victor Pugliese and Vidit Vaghela defeated Joe Motta and Fredrik Bjerke in No. 1 doubles 8-4. The third match at No. 3 doubles came down to a tie breaker after 7-7 draw when Marist’s Rudy Kurz and Dylan Fletcher took the victory (7-2) for an 8-7 win as the Red Foxes took the point for a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
MAAC Player of the Year Victor Pugliese of Monmouth took the No. 1 singles match, defeating Justin Chanthalangsy in straight sets 6-2, 6-0 to tie the championship at 1-1.
In No. 5 singles, the Marist’s Matteo Guidici gave Marist a 2-1 lead with a victory over Luke Adamus in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. Marist expanded their lead with a victory in No. 3 singles as Fredrik Bjerke defeated Ale Gomez Estrada 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets for the 3-1 advantage. No. 6 singles brought Monmouth back to a one point deficit after Monmouth’s Bee Kumthonkittikul beat Marist’s Jan Dernic 6-3, 6-1 in straight sets. The No. 2 and No. 4 singles forced third sets in each match, with Marist taking the final point of the day off of Rudy Kurz’s No. 2 singles victory over Przemyslaw Filipek to give Marist the 2015 championship title. After Monmouth’s Filipek took the first set 7-5, Kurz came back to win consecutive sets 6-3, 6-3 to complete the 2015 MAAC Men’s Tennis Championship.
Marist’s Rudy Kurz, who was named the 2015 MAAC Rookie of the Year, was named the 2015 MAAC Men's Tennis Championship Most Outstanding Performer. He went 1-1 at No. 3 doubles this weekend and 4-1 at No. 2 singles winning the championship clinching set.
Marist will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship to be held at Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas. The NCAA Selection Show is Tuesday, Apr. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Marist 4, Monmouth 2
April 26, 2015 Mercer County Park
Singles competition
1. Victor Pugliese (MON) def. Justin Chanthalangsy (MAR) 6-2, 6-0
2. Rudy Kurz (MAR) def. Przemyslaw Filipek (MON) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
3. Fredrik Bjerke (MAR) def. Ale Gomez Estrada (MON) 6-4, 6-4
4. Vidit Vaghela (MON) vs. Joseph Dube (MAR) 4-6, 6-3, 3-2, unfinished
5. Matteo Guidice (MAR) def. Luke Adamus (MON) 6-3, 6-1
6. Bee Kumthonkittikul (MON) def. Jan Dernic (MAR) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Victor Pugliese/Vidit Vaghela (MON) def. Joe Motta/Fredrik Bjerke (MAR) 8-4
2. Justin Chanthalangsy/Matteo Guidice (MAR) def. Ale Gomez Estrada/Ramy Behkiet (MON) 8-5
3. Rudy Kurz/Dylan Fletcher (MAR) def. Przemyslaw Filipek/Christian Viera (MON) 8-7, (7-2)
Match Notes:
Monmouth University
Marist College
Order of Finish: Doubles (2,1,3) Singles (1,5,3,6,2)