Feb. 6, 2011

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -

The Lafayette men's tennis team got wins from freshman Will Mercorella and the doubles team of sophomore Scott Gelbman and junior Andrew Morris in its spring season opener, but the Leopards ultimately fell to Stetson in Bethlehem, Pa. by a score of 6-1.

Mercorella's victory came at the No. 6 singles position over Stetson's Erik Halaj. Mercorella won the first set, 6-2, but was then edged in the second set by a score of 6-7 (1). He battled back to win the decisive third set, 10-4, and claim the point for the Leopards.

Though Stetson earned the doubles point, Lafayette did claim one match of the series courtesy of Gelbman and Morris. The pair downed the Hatters' tandem of Halaj and Hans Adrian Riseng by a score of 8-5.

The Leopards return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 26, opening their spring home slate against NJIT. Action begins at 3 p.m.

Full Results

Singles
1. Maxim Levanovich (S) def. Justin Haar (L) 6-0, 6-0
2. No. 108 Cesare Gallo (S) def. Doug Gallagher (L) 7-6 (4), 6-3
3. Hans Adrian Riseng (S) def. Scott Gelbman (L) 6-4, 6-4
4. Didrik Berg (S) def. Kyle MacLelland (L) 6-0, 6-0
5. Christopher Swanteson (S) def. Sinan Ipeker (L) 6-1, 6-0
6. Will Mercorella (L) def. Erik Halaj (S), 6-2, 6-7 (1), 10-4

Doubles
1. No. 42 Levanovich/Nial Stene (S) def. Haar/Ipeker (L) 8-5
2. Gallo/Berg (S) def. Gallagher/MacLelland (L) 8-2
3. Gelbman/Andrew Morris (L) def. Riseng/Halaj (S) 8-5