April 18, 2008

Allentown, Pa. -

The Neumann College men's tennis team travelled to Allentown, PA. today to play in the semi-final round of the P.A.C. men's tennis team championship. Seeded as the number two team the Knights took on the third seed Cabrini Cavaliers. Both teams expected a tight match as the Knights had defeated the Cavaliers earlier in the season 5-4.

In doubles play Neumann earned two of three points as the second doubles pair of senior Barry Harvey (Aston, PA, Chichester HS) and sophomore Dan Harnos (Lanoka Harbor, NJ, Lacy Township HS) beat their Cabrini counterparts 8-3. In a thrilling third doubles match freshmen Chris Brown (Eldersburg, MD, Liberty HS) and Greg Bridgeman (Haddonfield, NJ, Haddon Twp. HS) defeated Cabrini's John VanWagner (Brielle, N.J. Manasquan HS )and Mike Sim (LaVerne, Calif., Damien HS) 9-7. Brown and Bridgeman overcame a 1-5 deficit early in the match to claim a key point and set the tone for singles play.

In singles play the Knights kept the pressure on. Senior John Slinka (Sickerville, NJ, Paul VI HS)secured the third point for Neumann as he defeated Cabrini's VanWagner 6-3, 6-1. His victory gave the Knights a 3-2 lead as Cabrini's Justin Walsh defeated Neumann's Greg Bridgeman at the second singles spot.

Senior Barry Harvey defeated Cabrini's Sim at the sixth singles flight 6-2, 6-1 giving the Neumann Knights the fourth point. The momentum carried over to senior Andrew Bitar's (Dedham, Ma., Dedham HS) fifth singles match who was taking on Cabrini's Drew Brandstetter (Germantown, Tenn., Houston HS). Bitar clinched the match for the Knights with a 6-4, 6-2 victory. The victory for Bitar avenged an earlier season loss to Brandstetter.

The Knights move on to Saturday's championship match against Marywood University. Marywood is the number one seed in the tournament. The match starts at 12 p.m. and will be played at the Westend Racquetball Club in Allentown, Pa.