Feb. 6, 2011

Stamford, Conn. - In a marathon match that lasted nearly six hours, the Stony Brook University men's tennis team dropped a 4-3 decision to the Fairfield Stags at the Stamford Indoor Tennis Center in their season opener.

The teams split the opening six singles matches. Sophomore Roope Kailaheimo (Helsinki, Finland) won 6-3, 7-5 at the No. 3 spot and freshman Ryan Schmitz (Schenectady, N.Y.) dropped just one game in his victory at No. 5. Freshman Francesco Arciuli (Lesmo, Italy) won in straight sets at No. 6 to earn the final singles point for the Seawolves.

Fairfield won at No. 1 doubles but Schmitz and Arciuli won a 9-8 decision at No. 3 as the match came down to No. 2 doubles. Kailaheimo and junior Max Sztabholz (Paris, France) battled but were defeated 9-8 (4).

The Seawolves return to action on Friday, traveling to take on Army. First serve is set for 5 p.m.

Fairfield 4, Stony Brook 3
Singles
1. Sauter (Fairfield) def. Fomin (SB), 7-6(3), 6-4
2. Michalisin (Fairfield) def. Rummel (SB), 6-4, 6-1
3. Kallaheimo (SB) def. Zlobinsky (Fairfield), 6-3, 7-5
4. E. Kremheller (Fairfield) def. Sztabholz (SB), 6-4, 6-4
5. Schmitz (SB) def. Merinder (Fairfield), 6-1, 6-0
6. Arciuli (SB) def. Breault (Fairfield), 7-6 (3), 6-2

Doubles
1.) Michalisin/E. Kremheller (Fairfield) def. Rummel/Fomin (SB), 9-7
2.) Zlobinsky/Breault (Fairfield) def. Kailaheimo/Sztabholz (SB), 9-8 (4)
3.) Schmitz/Arciuli (SB) def. Merinder/Sauter (Fairfield), 9-8 (4)