Box Score

Bronx, NY (Mar. 21, 2012) – Make it five straight for the sizzling men's tennis team.

The Panthers not only won their fifth consecutive match Wednesday, but did it in resounding fashion, dominating Lehman College 9-0 on the road. In the process, Purchase improved to 5-1 on the young season, dropping the hosts to 0-3.

Head coach Peter Nestel sees big things for the tennis team this spring. A deep, talented roster has done everything to support his beliefs that this could be the season that the Panthers move from perennial semifinal participants to championship participants – and maybe champions.

Standout rookie Jeremyah Schur (FR/Forest Hills, NY) downed Michael Tal at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-2. Schur played up a spot and looked strong in doing so. Roger King* (JR/Yonkers, NY) continued his impressive spring campaign, winning 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2, while Maxim Luiggi* (SR/Paris, France) returned to singles play and dominated Cesar Andrade, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 3.

Not to be outdone, Michael Sorge (FR/Bronx, NY) picked up where he left off in singles play and earned a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 4. Veteran Ben Ekis (SR/Rochester, NY) has played flawless in 2012. Ekis shutout Alex Linde 6-0, 6-0 and also continued his ferocious play this spring.

Ekis has anchored a dominating bottom of the lineup, which also includes newcomer Simon Lai (JR/Garrison, NY). Lai won 8-2 in a pro set to cap the singles as the match was decided early.  

Purchase coasted in doubles play, setting the tone with a 3-0 start. Schur and Luiggi teamed for an 8-5 win at No. 1, while Ekis and Lai got a shot at second doubles and produced an 8-4 final. King and Sorge would then team for an 8-2 margin at No. 3.

The Panthers will now resume their conference schedule at St. Joseph's College-LI Saturday.