MEN'S TENNIS SETS SIGHTS ON CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

The AMCC men's tennis teams are gearing up this week for the 2016 championship weekend, hosted by Pitt-Bradford at the Westwood Tennis Club in Erie, PA on Saturday and Sunday.

#1 Franciscan University, winners of the past three championships, enter the conference tournament with a perfect 6-0 record. The Barons have their sights on becoming the first AMCC men's tennis team to four-peat as conference champions. Francsican saw a host of players going undefeated in conference play, including sophomore, and No. 2 singles palyer, Jarek Sulak (6-0), No. 5/6 singles player freshman Richard Watson (6-0), No. 4/5 singles player sophomore Connor Jooste (5-0), and No. 4 singles player senior David Freytag (5-0). The Barons have been equally impressive when it came to doubles play this season. No. 1 doubles partners John Gallagher/Jarek Sulak and No. 2 doubles partners David Freytag/Zachary Quiza each lead the AMCC with 5-0 conference records. 

#2 Penn State Behrend enter the championship tournament with a 5-1 mark, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Barons. The Lions are led by freshman Brent McFarland who finished the regular season 6-0 in conference singles action, splitting his time between the No. 3 and No. 4 positions. Sophomore Yanique Apgar went 4-0 at the No. 1 singles spot. In doubles action, freshman Michael Funera and junior Nick Kapty were a perfect 3-0 at the No. 3 doubles spot.

#3 Mount Aloysius College, with a 3-3 conference record, has earned a trip to the men's tennis championship tournament for the first time in their six-year program history. The Mounties were led by No. 4 singles player, freshman Nick Goldyn, and No. 5 singles player, junior Aubrey Brown, who both finished 4-2 in conference play. No. 3 doubles partners  Brown and junior Kevin Ouellette finished with a 3-1 conference mark. 

Pitt-Greensburg, also with a 3-3 conference mark, arrive as the #4 seed after falling to Mount Aloyisus by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker. Sophomore Izaak Fulmer-Moffat has led the way for the Bobcats, as he finished 5-1 in conference play at the No. 4 singles spot. On the doubles side, No. 1 partners Zachary Pivirotto and Doug Smeltzer have paved the way for Pitt-Greensbug with a 4-2 AMCC mark.

The semifinals will take place on Saturday, April 16 at 3:30pm when #1 Franciscan takes on #4 Pitt-Greensburg. #2 Penn St. Behrend will face off with #3 Mount Aloysius after the conclusion of the first match. The championship match will be at 11:30am on Sunday, April 17.