KALAMAZOO, MI - The University at Buffalo's men's tennis team opened the 2003 Mid-American Conference schedule Tuesday afternoon with a 6-1 loss at Western Michigan. The Bulls fell to 9-8 overall and 0-1 in league play while the Broncos, ranked 59th in the latest ITA poll, posted their 10th consecutive win and improved to 13-2 and 1-0 in the MAC.

Nick Zieziula

UB's lone victory on the afternoon was by sophomore Nick Zieziula (Hamburg, NY/St. Francis). Moving up a spot to number four singles after playing the spring break matches at number five, Zieziula easily disposed of WMU's Erik Lindroos with a 6-3, 6-3 win. Zieziula, who has now won five of his last six matches, improved to 14-10 in singles play in 2002-03.

The remainder of the matches were won by Western Michigan. UB was swept in the doubles round with three losses. Randy Rocchio (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) and Zieziula fell, 8-6, at first doubles to Dan Grupp and Ryan Maarschalk. At number two, Fery Kasiman (Jakarta, Indonesia/ESI International Academy) and Rannga Prahudha (Jakarta, Indonesia/ESI International Academy) dropped an 8-2 decision to Jose Orozco and Ravi Pathanjali. The number three team of Rohan Raikar (Albany, NY/Albany) and Chris Pyke (Watertown, NY/Watertown) was shutout by Tom Dennis and Mike Findling, 8-0.

UB put up some strong number in singles play however with the exception of Zieziula couldn't produce a victory. Rocchio's number two match against Maarschalk went three sets with Maarschalk taking a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 decision. At number one, Kasiman fell 6-3, 6-4 to Pathanjali. Prahudha also stayed close throughout his number five match against Orozco, but lost in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5. Josh Liederman (Queens, NY/Benjamin Cardozo) lost to Dennis, 6-1, 6-0, at number three and Pyke, at number six, was defeated 6-0, 6-0 by Justin Kates.

The Bulls open their home schedule Thursday morning at 10 am against MAC affiliate member Indiana-Purdue-Ft. Wayne.

Western Michigan 6, UB 1

Singles

1 Ravi Pathanjali (WMU) d. Fery Kasiman (UB), 6-3, 6-4

2 Ryan Maarschalk (WMU) d. Randy Rocchio (UB), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

3 Tom Dennis (WMU) d. Josh Liederman (UB), 6-1, 6-0

4 Nick Zieziula (UB) d. Erik Lindroos (WMU), 6-3, 6-3

5 Jose Orozco (WMU) d. Rannga Prahudha (UB), 7-6, 7-5

6 Justin Kates (WMU) d. Chris Pyke (UB), 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

1 Dan Grupp/Maarschalk (WMU) d. Zieziula/Rocchio (UB), 8-6

2 Orozco/Pathanjali (WMU) d. Kasiman/Prahudha (UB), 8-2

3 Dennis/Mike Findling (WMU) d. Rohan Raikar/Chris Pyke (UB), 8-0