HOBOKEN, N.J. – Sophomores Steve Su (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel) and Yuriy Stelmakh (Carlstadt, N.J./Becton Regional) and freshman Ian Mullican (Gillette, N.J./Oratory Prep) earned singles victories, but the Stevens men’s tennis team dropped a 4-3 decision to FDU-Florham on Sunday.
Stevens (5-5) dropped the decisive doubles point and FDU (6-3) earned two close victories in singles play to escape with a narrow victory.
Su cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles over Frank Geiger while Stelmakh and Mullican also recorded straight sets victories.
FDU scored a key victory at third singles as Arkady Smolyansky dropped the opening set, but rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 win over Stevens freshman Boris Kocherov (Edison, N.J./Edison). The loss also snapped Kocherov’s five-match winning streak. In another close match, Neil Curtis of FDU earned a 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win over Stevens senior Ariel Kemelman (Milltown, N.J./Spotswood).
In doubles play, Stelmakh and Mullican earned an 8-1 win in the third position, but FDU-Florham won first and second doubles. At first doubles, Geiger and Brian Gonsar recorded a close 8-6 victory over Su and Kocherov, clinching the doubles point.
Stevens is next in action on Wednesday, March 31, when it hosts Mount St. Vincent in a Skyline Conference match beginning at 4 p.m.
FDU-FLORHAM 4, STEVENS 3
1st DOUBLES – Geiger/Gonsar (F) def. Su/Kocherov 8-6
2nd DOUBLES – Smolyansky/Curtis (F) def. Quintana/Dave Asis 8-4
3rd DOUBLES – Mullican/Stelmakh (S) def. Dvorin/Corbo 8-1
(Best 2 of 3 doubles worth one team point)
1st SINLGES – Steve Su (S) def. Frank Geiger 6-0, 6-1
2nd SINGLES – Brian Gonsar (F) def. Diego Quintana 6-0, 6-1
3rd SINGLES – Arkady Smolyanksky (F) def. Boris Kocherov
3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
4th SINGLES – Neil Curtis (F) def. Ariel Kemelman 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
5th SINGLES – Yuriy Stelmakh (S) def. Matt Dvorin 6-4, 6-2
6th SINGLES – Ian Mullican (S) def. Corbo 6-0, 6-0
TEAM RECORDS:
FDU-Florham, 6-3
Stevens, 5-5
