The Bison men’s tennis team came out on top with a 7-0 victory over Niagara, marking the team’s third shutout in the past four matches. After their match against UMES was canceled, the team traveled to Williamsville, N.Y. on Feb. 7 to face Niagara in its fourth match of the season, in which the Orange and Blue swept with victories in all singles matches.

Nick Bybel ’16 made his spring debut and led the Orange and Blue with easy success at No. 1 singles. Bybel cruised past his opponent with scores of 6-1 and 6-2 in his opening match of the season. As senior captain, Bybel leads the program in all-time singles victories and combined wins.

“Tennis is unique in the fact that it brings an individual sport into a team aspect, and there is no other group of guys that I would want to be out there with,” Bybel said.

“Penn State is going to be a tough match, but if everyone goes out there with the belief to win, I know we will do well,” he said. 

Bybel, Max Kane ’18, Andrei Vitiuc ’19, Timber Erskine ’18, and Max McDonald ’19 all won singles matches in straight sets, while Bryan Adams ’17 defeated his opponent in three sets. Vitiuc improved to a flawless 3-0 personal record for the spring. Erskine proved to be victorious with his 6-0, 6-0 shutout of his challenger. Adams’ nail-biter singles match ended with a Bison victory after three sets.

The Bison were also victorious in their completed doubles matches, as the duo of Erskine and Adams triumphed with a 6-4 victory. Kane and McDonald shut out their Purple Eagles challengers 6-0.

With this win, the Orange and Blue improve to 3-1 on the season for the second year in a row. The Bison will continue their season as they travel to University Park, Pa. to take on the nationally-ranked Penn State on Feb. 13.