SCRANTON, Pa. – The Juniata College men's tennis team was unable to steal a victory from the top seeded Scranton Royals, falling 5-0, Tuesday afternoon. The match was called short after Scranton had officially clinched a victory. The loss, however, did not take away from what was one of the best seasons in program history. The 2012-13 Juniata Eagles battled until the last match after making history all year long.
The Eagles fought valiantly in singles play on the afternoon. While the team lost two matches, which led to the end of the match, the Eagles led in three singles positions at the time the match was called. Juniors Justin Wisniewski (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) and Elliott Perow (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area ) as well as senior Brice Morey (Enola, Pa./East Pennsboro) each led by one game before the shortened finish.
Morey paced the Eagles all season in what became a season that will go down in Juniata history. The senior set the mark for the most single season wins in the last five years with 19. Furthermore, Juniata showcased their youth as freshmen Bryan Gregory Glen Mills, Pa./Garnet Valley)and Mike Lifshitz (Worcester, Mass. Worcester Academy) also surpassed the previous record for single season wins in recent history with 17 wins, and 13 wins respectively. Wisniewski also joined that group, with 14 wins. The Eagles' head coach set a record of his own. Of the last three Juniata coaches, Jason Cohen set the record for most wins in a full, inaugural season with 13.
As a team, the Eagles tied the school record for most single season wins, with 13. They also set the record for most individual wins in the last five years with 124 total victories, between doubles play, and singles play. For the year, Juniata finished with an impressive 13-7 record. They also garnered a 4-3 conference record, which represents a tie for the most wins for an Eagles team, in conference, since the program was re-established in 2001.
Beyond that, they clinched just the fourth playoff appearance since 2001. This was due in large part to Juniata's success on the road and their six match win streak during the course of the year. The Eagles were 7-2 in away matches in 2012-2013, and did not lose a match, at home, or on the road, in a streak that lasted from April 3rd, until April 13th.
The men will be rooting on the women's tennis team tomorrow as they take on the Goucher Gophers in their own Landmark Conference playoff game. The match will be at Goucher, and will take place at 3:00 PM.
Juniata Men's Tennis Results
Scranton 5, Juniata 0
Doubles
1. Tim McGurrin/David Teres (SCRAN) def. Justin Wisniewski/Brice Morey (JUNM) 8-6
2. Joe Morra/Mike Pannone (SCRAN) def. Elliott Perow/Bryan Gregory (JUNM) 8-5
3. Bennett Kelley/Devin Patel (SCRAN) def. Michael Lifshitz/Tucker Good (JUNM) 8-6
Singles
1. Tim McGurrin (SCRAN) vs. Justin Wisniewski (JUNM) 5-6, unfinished
2. David Teres (SCRAN) vs. Elliott Perow (JUNM) 4-5, unfinished
3. Joe Morra (SCRAN) vs. Bryan Gregory (JUNM) 6-3, unfinished
4. Mike Pannone (SCRAN) vs. Brice Morey (JUNM) 3-4, unfinished
5. Bennett Kelley (SCRAN) def. Michael Lifshitz (JUNM) 6-3, 6-2
6. James Dalkiewicz (SCRAN) def. Tucker Good (JUNM) 6-1, 6-4
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