Box Score

KINGS POINT, N.Y. (April 8, 2014) – With the Winter of '13-14 seemingly in the rearview mirror, the Drew University men's tennis team is finally settling in to a consistent routine, which could mean disaster for the rest of the Landmark Conference.
 
The six-time defending conference champion Rangers won their second consecutive league dual match thanks to a 6-3 defeat of The United States Merchant Marine Academy on the road Tuesday afternoon.
 
"For the first time this season, we're feeling we're getting into a routine and finding our groove," said first-year head coach Matthew Brisotti C'12, a member of four of Drew's Landmark champion teams. "The schedule has become more consistent, and that has helped us immensely. Tennis is all about routine and habit, and we're starting to feel more comfortable. We knew it was a big week to show what we're made of and we wanted to rise up to the occasion."
 
The Rangers (3-4, 3-2 Landmark) got off to a quick start against the Mariners, sweeping doubles action to take a 3-0 lead.
 
The third doubles team of junior Dereck McMullen and freshman Nick Lantieri opened the dual match with an 8-4 victory, and the No. 2 doubles duo of junior Scott Vander Veen and sophomore Adam Clark followed with an 8-5 decision.
 
The first doubles tandem of senior Vin Mahon and junior Tommy Butschi has been facing top competition all year, and broke through for their second win together this season with an 8-6 win over their Merchant Marine foes.
 
"When you take all three doubles, it gives you a huge leg up and it sets the tone for the match," Brisotti said. "You always want to get out to a lead, and we play well with a lead. It gave us a ton of confidence heading into singles matches after getting a good look at the competition in doubles play."
 
The Mariners kept it close by winning at first and fourth singles to begin solo play and cutting the Drew lead to 3-2. Clark responded with a straight-set 6-0, 6-1 victory at second singles for the 4-2 lead.
 
The Mariners won at third singles to bring the Drew lead to 4-3 with two matches yet to conclude.
 
For the second match in a row, Lantieri clinched the match for the Rangers. The Drew freshman won his No. 6 singles matchup 6-1, 7-5 for the decisive fifth point of the dual match.
 
McMullen made it 6-3 in favor of the Rangers with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in the No. 5 singles slot, the first dual match win of the season for the junior.
 
Drew looks to continue rolling when crosstown rival FDU-Florham comes to Drew on Thursday, April 10 to contest the Battle of Madison Ave. at 3:30 p.m.