April. 18, 2008
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Men's Tennis Team played some hard fought matches to wrap up the season.
The UMES Men's Tennis Team dropped a 7-0 decision to Mount Saint Mary's on April 5, 2008. The Mount got the better of the Hawks in every match, shutting them out with the exception of Rashad James at number one singles who fell 6-1, 6-3.
The match, held at Catoctin High School, saw Mount players Andrew Marinucci (No. 2), Patrick Plastow (No. 3) and Thad Mostowtt (No. 4) each swept their opponents, 6-0, 6-0.
In doubles action, Osorio and Marinucci were 8-0 victors at No. 1 doubles while Rob Dupaya and Mostowtt won 8-0 at the No. 2 position.
On April 8, 2008 the Hawks took the University of District of Columbia (UDC) and fell 7-2 in non-conference action. UMES got points from Delonte Monk who won at #6 singles and Monk and Michael Davenport who won at #3 singles. James, who fell in a tough match at #1 singles, played Arda Kaytan close, dropping a 6-4 7-6 (9-7) decision. William Ntirenganya and Harold Fowler also played tough singles matches with the scores in the Firebirds favor 6-4, 6-2 and 6-2, 6-4 respectively.
The Hawks dropped both doubles matches at #1 and #2 with scores of 8-1 and 8-2. UMES' next opponent would be Virginia State University. They topped the Hawks 9-0, sweeping all the matches. The most highly contested of the day came from Fowler who played #4 singles and lost to William Richardson 6-3, 6-1. Fowler also teamed with Dorian Thomas in #2 doubles, falling 8-4.
UMES returned home on April 13 to face UDC again. While it was a different location, it was almost an identical result. The Firebirds won again, this time by the score of 7-2. Monk again got a singles win and at doubles with William Ntirenganya. Ntirenganya played well at #5 singles, falling to Daniel Gourdine, 6-4, 7-5.
UMES wrapped up the season with a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matches. They took on Howard on April 14, 2008, falling 6-1. Monk was the winner again at #6 singles for the lone Hawk point. Thomas and James played at #2 doubles, but fell 8-5.
Two days later UMES took on the Eagles of Coppin State University and played a close match, falling 5-2. Fowler and Ntirenganya picked up a big win at #3 doubles 8-0 while Fowler also won in singles action over Ian Lovergie at #4 singles, 6-0, 6-0. Monk, almost picked up another win, this time being topped by Shane Smith in pro sets, 8-7.
The Hawks finished the season without a win, posting 16 losses. They will regroup, recruit and return all but Fowler in hopes of getting things going in the 2008-09 year.
