The Colgate men’s tennis team extended its winning streak to three this past weekend, beating Siena and the University of Rochester, and lost just one match along the way. In their home opener, the Raiders beat host Siena 6-1 and pounded Rochester 7-0 the following day. With the two wins the Raiders improved to 3-1 overall.

Senior co-captain Michael Yassky and junior Phil Bernasek flip-flopped at the top of the line-up. Yassky won at 2nd singles against Siena, dropping just four games against Jart Siwiec, and then yielded only three games at No. 1 singles the next day, beating Brian Bowman 6-1 6-2 of the visiting Yellow Jackets. Bernasek bounced back after losing to Siena’s top player to give up only three games in his victory at No. 2 against Brian Schmeer 6-2, 6-1.

Senior co-captain John Nogueras was stretched to three sets in his victory at third singles over Rochester and all three doubles victories for the Raiders were tight contests.

Nogueras was quick to compliment the efforts of his fellow teammates.

“Mike Yassky played great at No. 1 on Saturday,” Nogueras said. “Also, Conner Feuille and Parker Lewis stepped up big in doubles against Rochester.”

Although there have only been four matches so far in the season, Head Coach Bobby Pennington is extremely pleased by the way his team is shaping up.

“The men’s team is looking very strong,” Pennington said, “We have a lot of guys who can help us win this year. All ten guys are strong and we have a nice mix of upper classmen and first-years.”

The women, who were also back in action, fell to 1-2 overall, by splitting their weekend matches, beating Siena 7-0 and then losing at home to Rochester 2-5.

Against the Yellow Jackets, first-year Meredith Rock claimed the home team’s lone victory in singles by downing Jillian Dann 6-2, 7-6 at No. 6 singles. Senior co-captain Samantha Inacker and sophomore Stephanie Bender claimed the other victory for Colgate at 2nd doubles beating Alex Goodman and Danielle Shreck, 8-4.

Pennington, although frustrated with the outcome of the Rochester match, remains hopeful.

“I was definitely disappointed with the loss against Rochester; it’s a team we should beat, and have beaten in the past,” Pennington remarked. “I think we have a lot of work to do, but I believe we can definitely turn it around, quickly. I still think we’re going to have a great season.”

Senior captain Elise DeRose, who fought hard in her three-set loss to Rochester’s Frances Tseng, expressed similar sentiments.

“The first few matches aren’t always the sharpest, but I saw some really good things and I’m confident that the rest of our season will be much more successful,” DeRose said.

Both the men’s and women’s teams will be back in action at home this Saturday against St. Bonaventure. The women are slated to start at 10 a.m., while the men will begin play at 2 p.m. at the Sanford Field House.