WEST POINT, N.Y. - Freshman Gary Kushnirovich earned Army's lone point of the day in a 6-1 dual-match loss to visiting Dartmouth on Saturday at Lichtenberg Tennis Center.
The Brooklyn, N.Y. native improved to 2-0 at first singles in dual matches thus far by hanging a 7-5, 5-7 (10-8) loss on Dartmouth senior Jeff Freeman.
"Our guys were warriors," said Army men's tennis head coach Jim Poling. "But Dartmouth is a very good team, and they played well today."
Kushnirovich and classmate Rashad Shelton battled to an 8-9 score, before losing the tie-break 11-9 at first doubles. The Big Green swept the other two doubles matchups by identical 8-5 scores.
Donald Van Velzer looked to be in position to earn another point for the Black Knights after winning the first set of his second doubles match 6-4, but Dartmouth's Michael Laser rallied in next two sets, 6-2 6-4, to snatch the win.
At fourth singles, Army's Tripp Johnson claimed the first set 6-4, before falling behind 6-2 in the second set. In a competitive tie-break, Johnson suffered an 11-9 setback.
Army (1-1) will return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Lichtenberg Tennis Center to take on visiting Binghamton.
Dartmouth 6, Army 1
Doubles
1. Freeman/Laser (Dartmouth) def. Gary Kushnirovich/Rashad Shelton (Army); 9-8 (11-9)
2. Schlobohm/Cox (Dartmouth) def. Chris Albornoz/John Lucero (Army); 8-5
3. DeChatellos/Ito (Dartmouth) def. Tripp Johnson/Alex Holland; 8-5
Singles
1. Kushnirovich (Army) def. Freeman (Dartmouth); 7-5, 5-7 (10-8)
2. Laser (Dartmouth) def. Donald Van Velzer (Army); 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
3. Greif (Dartmouth) def. Lucero (Army); 6-3, 6-4
4. Roby (Dartmouth) def. Johnson (Army); 4-6, 6-2 (11-9)
5. Cenitenari (Dartmouth) def. Albornoz (Army); 6-3, 6-0
6. Ho (Dartmouth) def. Holland (Army); 6-4, 6-4
|
