Posted: Mar 24, 2023
Queens, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Tennis team took its unblemished record into East Coast Conference play on Friday afternoon, facing off with nationally ranked (ITA #40) Queens College.
STAC took the doubles point by winning two matches, with the duos of Don Vinz Lominoque & Tobias Fuerschuss and Ondrej Sramek & Tony Khamassi capturing victories. Then, the Spartans broke a 2-2 tie in singles play with victories from Odysseas Papaioannou and Ludovico Truffelli to earn its eleventh straight triumph, 4-2.
Ondrej Sramek went 2-0 on the day, winning both his doubles and singles matches. Ludovico Truffelli was also named the Most Impactful Player of the Match by the Spartans' coaching staff.
STAC 4/QUEENS 2 - OFFICIAL RESULTS
DOUBLES
1. Kareem Rashad & Roni Rikkonen (QC) vs. Odysseas Papaioannou & Ludovico Truffelli (STAC), 5-5 (DID NOT FINISH)
2. Don Vinz Lominoque & Tobias Fuerschuss (STAC) def. Lluis Miralles Miro & Lucas Demuth (QC), 7-5
3. Ondrej Sramek & Tony Khamassi (STAC) def. Moritz Borges & Cameron Henricy (QC), 6-4
Order of Finish: 3, 2*, X
SINGLES
1. Odysseas Papaioannou (STAC) def. Roni Rikkonen (QC) 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (4)
2. Ludovico Truffelli (STAC) def. Cameron Henricy (QC) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (6)
3. Kareen Rashad (QC) vs. Tobias Fuerschuss (STAC) 6-3, 4-6, 5-5 (DID NOT FINISH)
4. Lucas Demuth (QC) def. Lennart Lehmann (STAC) 6-3, 6-3
5. Ondrej Sramek (STAC) def. Mariano Bibiloni (QC) 6-4, 6-3
Queens Record: 9-3, 1-1 ECC
STAC Record: 11-0, 1-0 ECC
THE ROCKHILL REPORT
"This was another typical match with Queens College where the end result was decided by just a few crucial points, said Coach Dan Rockhill. "They are likely the class of the region and it took a lot of toughness to come out of their bubble with the win."
"I am very happy for Ody (Papaioannou) and Ludo (Truffelli), who were both able to win third set tiebreakers over tremendous players. We are developing a level of toughness and confidence that is needed to beat these types of teams. We need to compete for every point, day in and day out, so that it becomes who we are."
"Ondrej (Sramek) is one of the better Freshman players in the conference, and perhaps the region, as he continues to impress with his mature play", stated Rockhill.
"Ludo earned another stint with the MIP belt as his gritty win was the clinching point today. I am so pleased with his development this year."
UP NEXT
STAC hosts the University of the District of Columbia on Friday, March 31 (3:00 p.m.) at the Riley Family Tennis Courts.