Purchase, NY (May 4, 2017) – For the first time in five seasons, the Purchase College men's tennis team earned a spot in the Skyline Conference Championship following a 5-2 victory over the United States Merchant Marine Academy Thursday evening.

The No. 2-seeded Panthers advance their record to 11-1 overall, while the third-seeded Mariners conclude their season with an overall record of 10-5.  

USMMA took a 2-1 lead coming out of doubles competition.  James Hicks and Jake McDonough earned the point at the No. 1 spot against seniors Riley Damerell (Rochester, NY) and Joseph Troop (Yonkers, NY), and the 8-1 second doubles victory went to USMMA's Jordan Kendall and Justin McGaffigan.

Purchase picked up its sole doubles point at the No. 3 spot.  Panther rookies Isaac Jones (FR/Ossining, NY) and Austin Schmitt (FR/Rochester, NY) battled to an 8-5 victory over Matthew Schwartz and Daniel Kim.

In singles action, sophomore Finbar Stuart (Woodstock, NY) evened the score with a 6-4, 6-2 win at the No. 6 position and freshman James Ham (Rye, NY) notched a 7-5, 6-3 fifth singles victory. Jones was next to finish, putting Purchase ahead 4-2 with his No. 3 singles victory.

Damerell sealed the triumphant fate for the Panthers with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 comeback win at the No. 1 spot. 

"Riley was relentless and wore down a great player to take him apart in the third set," said head coach Peter Nestel. "Isaac was extraordinary winning both his singles and doubles point.  Overall every single player on the team is playing at a very high level and improving with every practice and match. It's everything coaches strive for over the long journey of the season that started back in September."

Nestel, who was named the 2016-17 Purchase College Coach of the Year at the department's annual awards banquet last week, credited not only his players, but also the support he has received from his assistant coach. 

"[Assistant] Greg Leonarczyk was also outstanding, and deserves tremendous credit for the terrific results the team achieved," Nestel noted. 

The Panthers will take on No. 1 Yeshiva University in the Skyline Championship Sunday at the Binghamton Racquet Club in Edgewater, NJ at 1 p.m. The Macs defeated Mount Saint Mary 5-0 in the other semifinal to advance to the title match. 
 

Singles competition

1. Damerell, Riley (PUR-MTN) def. James Hicks (USMMAM) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

2. Troop, Joseph (PUR-MTN) vs. Jake McDonough (USMMAM) 7-6, 5-6, unfinished

3. Jones, Isaac (PUR-MTN) def. Justin McGaffigan (USMMAM) 6-4, 6-4

4. De La Cruz, Danny (PUR-MTN) vs. Jordan Kendall (USMMAM) 6-3, 3-6, unfinished

5. Ham, James (PUR-MTN) def. Matthew Schwartz (USMMAM) 7-5, 6-3

6. Stuart, Finbar (PUR-MTN) def. Daniel Kim (USMMAM) 6-4, 6-2

 

Doubles competition

1. James Hicks/Jake McDonough (USMMAM) def. Damerell, Riley/Troop, Joseph (PUR-MTN) 8-4

2. Jordan Kendall/Justin McGaffigan (USMMAM) def. Ham, James/Stuart, Finbar (PUR-MTN) 8-1

3. Jones, Isaac/Schmitt, Austin (PUR-MTN) def. Matthew Schwartz/Daniel Kim (USMMAM) 8-5

 

Match Notes

Merchant Marine 10-5

Purchase College 11-1

Official: Edward Wechsler T-3 hrs A-32