HARTFORD, Conn. -- The No. 32 Bates College men's tennis team earned its first NESCAC victory of the season Sunday afternoon, defeating Trinity College, 6–1, in conference action at the Paul Assaiante Tennis Center.
The Bobcats seized early momentum by capturing doubles play.
Phillippe Kosyagin and
Theo Sardain opened the day with a 6–3 win at No. 1 doubles, while
Nicolas Ozer and
James Sacco edged Trinity's Maxim Kauffmann and Andrew Nelson, 7–6, at the third position to secure the opening team point.
Bates then took control during singles play, winning five of the six matches to pull away for the decisive victory.
Kosyagin delivered a key win at the top spot, battling past Luca Garbati in a tight contest, 7–6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-4.
Eric Diop added another point at No. 2 singles with a three-set victory over John Pope, rallying for a 3–6, 6–4, 1-0 (10–6) decision.
Rocco Regnier also prevailed in three sets at the No. 5 position, outlasting Thompson Brown, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, while
Nicolas Ozer closed out the Bobcats' singles victories with a 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 triumph over Brandon Felcher at No. 6.
With the win, Bates improves to 3-4 (1-1 NESCAC) while the Bantams drop to 1-1 (0-1 NESCAC).
The garnet and white returns to campus Saturday to host No. 10 Middlebury at 1:00 p.m. in the Merrill Gymnasium.
