Release courtesy of Pratt Athletics
QUEENS, NY – The Pratt Institute men's tennis team clinched the number two seed in the upcoming Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament with a 9-0 victory over Vaughn College on Saturday afternoon at the USTA National Tennis Center.
The Cannoneers conclude the regular season with a record of 5-5 (3-1 HVIAC).
Pratt's top tandem of Ben Erickson and Simon Salazar made quick work of the Warriors in No. 1 doubles – coasting to an impressive 8-3 victory. Johnson Mengand Aris Azarmsa's 8-1 win in No. 2 doubles, coupled with a Vaughn forfeit in No. 3 doubles, gave the visiting Cannoneers a commanding lead as singles play began.
In the No. 1 position, Erickson easily bested Vaughn's Mike Panico 10-1. Simon Salazar, the reigning HVIAC Player of the Week, recorded the only shutout of the match, a 10-0 blanking of Vaughn's Raphael Cordiro in No. 2 singles. Johnson Mengwould add a 10-5 victory in No. 3 singles to further the Cannoneers' advantage. In the No. 4 position, Aris Azarmsa, last week's Rookie of the Week for the conference, continued his breakout season by posting a 10-1 decision. Freshman Leo Yang came through in a tight match in No. 5 singles with a hard-fought 10-4 triumph. Vaughn's forfeit in the last singles flight concluded the Cannoneers' sweep, 9-0.
Up Next – The Cannoneers return to the USTA for the HVIAC conference tournament next Saturday, April 28.
