BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo men's tennis team opened a Mid-American Conference weekend of action with a 7-0 loss to Ball State, ranked 51st in the country in the latest ITA rankings. The match was played Friday night at the Village Glen Tennis Center. The Bulls fell to 11-9 overall and 1-2 in the MAC while the Cardinals improved to 11-5 and 2-0 in league play.

Randy Rocchio

Although the Bulls were swept on the scoreboard, UB played respectable tennis against the nationally-ranked Cardinals as they won games in every set with the exception of one on Friday night.

In doubles play, UB's number one tandem of Randy Rocchio (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) and Nick Zieziula (Hamburg, NY/St. Francis) were defeated by Matthew Baccarani and Kevin Burnett, 8-5. The number two team of Josh Liederman (Queens Village, NY/Benjamin Cardozo) and Rannga Prayudha (Jakarta, Indonesia/ESI International Academy) fell 8-3 to Patrick Thompson and Chris Varga. UB's number three team of Fery Kasiman (Jakarta, Indonesia/ESI International Academy) and Rohan Raikar (Albany, NY/Albany) also dropped an 8-5 decision to Matt Laramore and Paul Newman.

In the singles matches, Kasiman fell to Baccarani, 6-4, 6-1. Rocchio dropped a 7-5, 6-3 decision to Burnett at number two. Liederman was defeated, 6-4, 6-2, at number three by Thompson. At number four, Zieziula lost to Laramore, 6-2, 7-5. At number five, Prayudha fell in straight sets to Brad Rhodes, but not without putting up a fight as he forced a first set tiebreaker. Prayudha was defeated,7-6 (7-3 in the tiebreaker), 6-1, by Rhodes. In the final match, Raikar fell to Klint Knable, 6-2, 6-0, at number six.

With Saturday's forecast calling for showers and wind, UB's match against Northern Illinois has been moved indoors. The Bulls will face the Huskies Saturday afternoon at the Village Glen Tennis Center starting at 2:00 pm.

Ball State 7, Buffalo 0

Singles

1 Matthew Baccarani (BSU) d. Fery Kasiman (UB), 6-4, 6-1

2 Kevin Burnett (BSU) d. Randy Rocchio (UB), 7-5, 6-3

3 Patrick Thompson (BSU) d. Josh Liederman (UB), 6-4, 6-2

4 Matt Laramore (BSU) d. Nick Zieziula (UB), 6-2, 7-5

5 Brad Rhodes (BSU) d. Rannga Prayudha (UB), 7-6 (3), 6-1

6 Klint Knable (BSU) d. Rohan Raikar (UB), 6-2, 6-0

Doubles

1 Matthew Baccarani/Kevin Burnett (BSU) d. Randy Rocchio/Nick Zieziula (UB), 8-5

2 Patrick Thompson/Chris Varga (BSU) d. Josh Liederman/Rannga Prayudha (UB), 8-3

3 Matt Laramore/Paul Newman (BSU) d. Fery Kasiman/Rohan Raikar (UB), 8-5