AMHERST, Mass. – The Yeshiva University men's tennis team earned a hard-fought win over Ramapo College, 5-3, in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament, at the Amherst College Tennis Courts on Thursday afternoon. This marks just the second time the Maccabees won an NCAA tournament contest in Yeshiva Athletics history.

Yeshiva (16-1) dropped two out of the three doubles flights, but bounced back to win four out of five completed singles matches to earn the monumental victory.

"What a terrific victory for this program," Yeshiva University head coach Jon Rubinstein said. We started off a little slow today and it took us some time to get used to the conditions. We came from way down on some courts and fought really hard to get back into it, and then we were able to take the lead. The players really stepped up!"

Senior David Papis Elon and sophomore Mikey Ozery kicked off the NCAA tournament contest by earning a dominating win at #2 doubles, 8-0, giving the Maccabees a 1-0 advantage. The Roadrunners (12-8) bounced back and won the first and third flights of doubles play, putting Yeshiva in a 2-1 deficit.

Ramapo's momentum continued into singles competition, taking the fourth flight, 6-1, 7-5, to extend its lead to 3-1.

However, YU would not go down without a fight. Junior Charlie Friedman began Yeshiva's turnaround with a victory at #5 singles, 6-4, 6-2.

Ozery earned a hard-fought, come-from-behind, three set-victory at the third singles flight. After dropping the first set, 6-1, Ozery won the second, 6-2, and won the rubber-set by the same score.

Sophomore Adam Rosemblaum won both sets at #2 singles, 6-1, 7-5, to even Yeshiva's match with Ramapo, 3-3.

Papis Elon competed in the #1 singles position. The Herzliya native won the first set, 6-3, but dropped the second by a score of 6-4, forcing a third set to be played. Papis Elon narrowly won the rubber set, 7-5, while coming back from being down a break point in the process, to claim #1 singles and clinch the NCAA tournament first round win for the Maccabees.

Yeshiva University Director of Athletics, Joe Bednarsh, was very proud of what he saw today. "This was one of the most exhilarating matches I've ever been to," Mr. Bednarsh said. "These two teams battled down to the wire and I must congratulate Ramapo who not only played as tough as possible, but represented their school with class." 

Senior Daron Greenblatt's #6 singles flight never finished, but it was a hard-fought battle. After dropping the first set, 6-4, the graduating senior came back to win the second, 6-2. Greenblatt dropped the first five games of the third set, but rallied to win six straight to take a 6-5 advantage, overcoming three different three-break holes in the process. However, since Yeshiva scored the fifth team-point, the #6 singles match did not finish.

"Going into singles play down 2-1 was a bit of a hole to climb out of, but our guys pushed themselves and secured the win," Mr. Bednarsh said. "I am so proud of our team and the energy, enthusiasm, and support they showed each other. I'm excited for tomorrow's match against a nationally ranked team!"

Yeshiva will return to the Amherst College Tennis Courts on Friday, for an NCAA tournament second round matchup with nationally ranked No. 8 Amherst College, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Portions of the match will be streamed via Facebook Live on the Yeshiva Athletics page. Be sure to check out yumacs.com and both the Yeshiva Athletics Facebook and Twitter pages for updates of the NCAA second round match as it happens.

Yeshiva University 5, Ramapo College 3
May 11, 2017 at Amherst, Mass. (Amherst Tennis Courts) 

Singles competition

1. Papis Elon, David (YU-MT) def. Willen Feygin (RCNJMT) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5

2. Rosemblaum, Adam (YU-MT) def. Jeremy Rosen (RCNJMT) 7-5, 6-3

3. Ozery, Mikey (YU-MT) def. Adam Patrovics (RCNJMT) 1-6, 6-2, 6-2

4. Kevin Ilinets (RCNJMT) def. Brik, Lior (YU-MT) 6-1, 7-5

5. Friedman, Charlie (YU-MT) def. Brendan Hines (RCNJMT) 6-4, 6-2

6. Justin Reich (RCNJMT) vs. Greenblatt, Daron (YU-MT) 6-4, 2-6, 5-6, unfinished

 

Doubles competition

1. Willen Feygin/Jeremy Rosen (RCNJMT) def. Rosemblaum, Adam/Brik, Lior (YU-MT) 9-8 (7-2)

2. Papis Elon, David/Ozery, Mikey (YU-MT) def. Kevin Ilinets/Brendan Hines (RCNJMT) 8-0

3. Adam Patrovics/Justin Reich (RCNJMT) def. Wannon, Adam/Rudansky, Eitan (YU-MT) 8-2

 

Match Notes

Yeshiva University 16-1

Ramapo College 12-8

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (5,2,4,3,1)

2017 NCAA Championship

First Round

Winner Advances to Play No. 8 Amherst

T-4:06

Generated on 5/11/2017