BINGHAMTON, NY - The University at Buffalo's men's tennis team suffered its first loss of the fall season Saturday with a 4-3 decision at Binghamton. The loss evens the Bulls' mark to 1-1 in dual meets for the 2002-03 campaign.

Randy Rocchio

UB picked up the doubles point by scoring a pair of victories. Nick Zieziula (Hamburg, NY/St. Francis) and Randy Rocchio (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) defeated Akshay Rao and Brad Sherwood, 9-7, at first doubles. Rohan Raikar (Albany, NY/Albany) and Joe Popielarczyk (Buffalo, NY/McKinley) earned an 8-6 win over Brian O'Connor and Ryan Rosenthal at third doubles.

The Bulls were only able to capture two singles matches on the afternoon. Three of the matches went to third sets with the Bulls winning two. Rocchio rallied to defeat Sherwood at number three, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-0. Josh Liederman (Queens Village, NY/Benjamin Cardozo) also rallied from a set down to defeat O'Connor at number four, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1.

The Bulls travel to Philadelphia for the Omni ITA Championships starting October 24.

Singles

1. Akshay Rao (BU) d. Fery Kasiman (UB), 6-3, 6-4

2. Brad Davidoff (BU) d. Nick Zieziula (UB), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (6)

3. Randy Rocchio (UB) d. Brad Sherwood (BU), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-0

4. Josh Liederman (UB) d. Brian O'Connor (BU), 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1

5. Steve Spencer (BU) d. Rohan Raikar (UB), 6-0, 6-0

6. Jordan Steinberg (BU) d. Joe Popielarczyk (UB), 6-1, 6-3

Doubles

1. Zieziula-Rocchio (UB) d. Rao-Sherwood (BU), 9-7

2. Spencer-Krishna Vallabhaneni (BU) d. Kasiman-Liederman (UB), 8-6

3. Raikar-Popielarczyk (UB) d. O'Connor-Ryan Rosenthal (BU), 8-6