Harrison Lilley – Staff Writer

hjl5363@psu.edu

Erie, PA – The Penn State Behrend men’s tennis team flew by Thiel by 8-1 in a non-conference competition on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Westwood Racquet Club, in Erie, Pennsylvania.

This competition improved the team’s overall record to 3-3, and were able to get through the match with only one loss out of the 9 matches. This match also gave Thiel their first loss of the season, which also marked the second time of the 2024 season that Behrend had a result of 8-1 for a match.

Jonathan Laier, of Lansing Mi, and of Holt High School, and Akash Sangha, of Milton, Ontario, and of White Oaks High School, were able to accomplish two wins together 8-3 at No. 1 doubles to get a strong foot in the door to start the match.

William Thomas, of Greensburg, PA, and of Greensburg Salem High School, and Luke Vunora, of Natrona Heights, PA, and of Highland High School, got their second doubles win of the season during No. 3 with a score of 8-2.

Thiel was able to slightly dominate the match with a victory of 9-5 during the No. 2 doubles, but Behrend was still able to take the lead and maintain their dominance for the majority of the match.

Laier was able to maintain his positive and winning record during the No. 1 singles where he finished off with scores of 6-1, and 6-0, and this pattern of success was shown by Sangha during the No. 2 singles, as he was able to take care of his opponent with a score of 6-0 in both matches.

Owen Sinnot, of Erie Pennsylvania, and of Collegiate Academy, performed during the No. 3 singles, where the match entered a tiebreaker, but was able to defeat his opponent 6-2, 6-7, and 10-7.

“Thomas moved up a spot in singles to win 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 and so did Vunora at the same in the fifth spot with the identical score” said Penn State Behrend Athletics.

Tyler Griffin, of Allegany, NY, and of Allegany-Limestone High School, gave Behrend the final win of the evening during the singles part of the match at No. 6, which resulted in scores of 6-1 and 6-0.

The men’s tennis team will be back in competition on Saturday, March 16, at Houghton. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

*Sports Information provided courtesy of Penn State Behrend Athletics.*