VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis coach Adam Cohen has been named the ITA/Wilson Northeast Region Coach of the Year after guiding his Bearcats to a sixth straight NCAA tournament berth in 2013. It’s the second time in the last four years that Cohen has earned the top honor in the 39-team region, which spans 11 different conferences.

Under Cohen’s leadership, the Bearcats (16-10) won 11 of their last 12 matches before facing No. 2 Georgia in the NCAA tournament. With a powerful recruiting class in place, Cohen put two freshmen in his top two singles positions and only had one upperclassman in his singles lineup, yet still produced 16 wins and the program’s ninth NCAA berth in the last 11 years. In 2010, Cohen was also selected by his Northeast Region peers after his Bearcats went 25-2 and were ranked as high as No. 43 in the country.

Additionally, freshman standout Sid Hazarika was selected as the ITA/Wilson Northeast Region Rookie of the Year. Hazarika put together an exceptional spring season after coming to campus in January. He went 21-4 in singles, occupying the No. 1 position, and was named the America East Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. It’s the first time that a BU player has earned the region’s top rookie honor in the program’s 12-year Division I tenure.

“I am happy for Sid to receive Rookie of the Year honors for our region,” Cohen said. “He began his career for us in the spring, which is never an easy starting point for anyone as you only have about one week of formal practice with the team and then we begin our spring season.  I had Sid play lower in the lineup at the beginning as I wanted him to get some matches under his belt to gain some confidence and get used to college tennis.  As he kept winning his matches I kept moving him up until he took over our top spot towards the end of March right before we went on spring break.  To have an overall spring season record of 21-4 is a great accomplishment and I look forward to having Sid continue to improve his level next season and the years to come here at Binghamton University.”

VESTAL, N.Y.—After winning the program’s sixth consecutive conference title, Binghamton men’s tennis also continued its academic prowess by occupying four of the six spots on the America East Men’s Tennis All-Academic Team. Earning honors were junior Ruben Haggai and sophomores Robin Lesage, Ismael Dinia and Florian van Kann.

Haggai, the Most Outstanding Player at the championship, is a repeat selection from 2012. He went 22-9 in singles and finished the year on a 14-match win streak. Haggai holds down a 3.7 GPA in the School of Management.

Lesage ha a 3.91 GPA in management. He won 20 singles matches and added 16 doubles wins. Lesage was a first team all-conference selection playing at No. 3 singles and doubles.

Dinia has a 3.63 GPA in management. He won 17 singles matches at No. 4 and also compiled a team-best 18 doubles wins, earning first team all-conference honors.

van Kann carries the highest GPA (3.97 in management) of any player - male or female - on the tennis All-Academic Teams. He won 11 singles matches in 2012-13. 

Under head coach Adam Cohen, five-time America East Coach of the Year, BU has produced 16 All-Academic players in the last six years - the most in the conference.

The 2012-13 Bearcats (16-10) advanced to the NCAA Championship for the ninth time in the last 11 years.

ATHENS, Ga. - No. 2 Georgia (23-4) captured the doubles point and won the first three completed singles matches to topple Binghamton men’s tennis (16-10) Friday afternoon at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The loss ends BU’s championship season, which included the program’s sixth consecutive America East title and ninth NCAA berth in the last 11 years.

The host Bulldogs, reigning SEC champions, were making their 35th overall appearance in the NCAA tournament and 30th straight. Georgia reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 2012, and has reached the finals in three of the last seven seasons.

No. 2 Georgia 4, Binghamton 0
DOUBLES
1. #5 Hernus Pieters/Ben Wagland (UGA) def. Bastian Bornkessel/Sid Hazarika (BU), 8-1
2. #15 Garrett Brasseaux/Nathan Pasha (UGA) def. Ruben Haggai/Eliott Hureau (BU), 8-4
3. Eric Diaz/Marco Nunez (UGA) vs. Ismael Dinia/Robin Lesage (BU), 7-4, unfinished

Order of finish: 1,2

SINGLES
1. #33 Ben Wagland (UGA) def. Sid Hazarika (BU), 6-1, 6-2
2. #47 Nathan Pasha (UGA) vs. Alexander Maisin (BU), 6-2, 4-3, unfinished
3. Austin Smith (UGA) def. Robin Lesage (BU), 6-2, 6-2
4. #115 Hernus Pieters (UGA) vs. Ismael Dinia (BU), 6-3, 4-2, unfinished
5. Garrett Brasseaux (UGA) vs. Ruben Haggai (BU), 6-2,5-3, unfinished
6. Marco Nunez (UGA) def. Eliott Hureau (BU), 6-3, 6-2

Order of finish: 1,6,3*
Time: 2:17
Attendance: 288

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis departed from campus Wednesday afternoon en route to Athens, Ga. and the NCAA Regionals. The Bearcats (16-9) will face University of Georgia (22-4) at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Wake Forest and Northwestern play in the opening match at 10 a.m. The host Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in the nation and will be highest-ranked opponent BU has faced in its Division I history.

“We have prepared for Georgia the way we have for any other match,” said head coach Adam Cohen, five-time America East Coach of the Year. “They are obviously very good at every spot on the lineup. We will need to come out and play smart, with energy and leave it all on the court. Their facility is a great setting for college tennis and we’re excited to be there. We will need to start playing well from the very first point in doubles and make them feel it will be a dogfight. Our guys have to be ready mentally and play every point like it’s the last point. The guys are confident and we expect to play hard and give them the best match we can.”

Binghamton earned its sixth straight NCAA berth after capturing another America East title. The Bearcats will be making their ninth NCAA appearance in the last 11 years.

The Bearcats are led by two freshmen at the top of the singles lineup. First-year standout Sid Hazarika (21-3) was crowned the America East Player and Rookie of the Year after producing a remarkable spring season. Hazarika beat two top-10 regional players and went 10-1 after taking over the top singles position in late March. He also plays at the top doubles spot alongside the team’s lone senior, Bastian Bornkessel.

The rest of BU’s starting lineup includes freshman No. 2 Alexander Maisin (18-15), sophomore No. 3 Robin Lesage (20-11), sophomore No. 4 Ismael Dinia (17-13), junior No. 5 Ruben Haggai (22-9) and sophomore No. 6 Florian van Kann (11-9).

Haggai, the Most Outstanding Player at the America East Championship, has rattled off 14 consecutive wins. He pairs with freshman Eliott Hureau at the No. 2 doubles spot and Lesage and Dinia form BU’s third doubles team. Dinia is a team-best 18-11 in doubles this season.

Georgia, the reigning SEC champions, has won 13 matches in a row and 17 of its last 18. The team is making its 35th overall appearance in the tournament and 30th straight. Georgia reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 2012, and has reached the finals in three of the last seven seasons. In all, the Bulldogs own six NCAA championships, most recently winning in back-to-back seasons in 2007-08.

But the hosts took a hit on Wednesday with the announcement that the team’s top player, senior KU Singh, has left the team in the eve of the NCAA tournament. Singh was the nation’s fourth-ranked singles player. His departure means that everyone bumps up in the Bulldogs’ lineup, which still boasts three ranked singles players and two ranked doubles tandems. 

MATCH SCHEDULE
Friday, May 10

10 a.m. – Wake Forest vs. Northwestern

1 p.m. – Georgia vs. Binghamton

Saturday, May 11
3 p.m. – Winner Match 1 vs. 2

BU’s Division I NCAA History
2003 – Minneapolis Regional (lost to 11th-ranked Minnesota 4-0)
2004 – Oxford, Miss. Regional (lost to 8th-ranked Ole Miss 4-0)
2005 – Baton Rouge, La. Regional (lost to 10th-ranked LSU 4-0)
2008 – Tulsa, Okla. Regional (lost to 10th-ranked Tulsa 4-0)
2009 – College Station, Texas Regional (lost to 15th-ranked Texas A&M 4-0)
2010 – Lexington, Ky. Regional (lost to 24th-ranked Georgia Tech, 4-1)
2011 – Los Angeles Regional (lost to 12th-seeded UCLA 4-0)
2012 - Oxford, Miss. Regional (lost to 13th-seeded Ole Miss 4-0)
2013 - Athens, Ga. Regional (facing second-ranked Georgia)

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis coach Adam Cohen didn’t ease up on the recruiting accelerator while his team was wrapping up its sixth straight America East crown. Cohen has announced his 2013 recruiting class - and it consists of five of the top-20 scholastic players in New York State.

Set to join the Bearcats’ program in the fall are Vihar Shah (New Hyde Park, N.Y.), Justin Fields (Manhattan, N.Y.), Frenk Kote (South Salem, N.Y.), Alex Sacher (Old Brookville, N.Y.) and Doug Notaris (Wantagh, N.Y.). 

“I’m excited to have all these New York kids join our team next season,” Cohen said. “I believe all of these incoming freshmen have a strong passion for the sport of tennis and as a coach you look to recruit players that enjoy being on the court.  It sure makes my job more enjoyable knowing that I don’t have to expend energy to get our guys motivated to work. I have a good feeling that each of them will make a significant contribution to our tennis team and University as a whole over the next four years.”

Shah, who played at Herricks High, is ranked third in the USTA Eastern Section boys 18’s. He was ranked No. 1 in the USTA Eastern Section boys 14’s and had a national ranking of No. 47 in the 16’s age bracket. Tennisrecruiting.net lists him as a 4-star recruit and the No. 7 ranked player in New York State.

Fields, from Beacon High, has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the USTA Eastern Section 18’s. He captured the PSAL singles title in New York City and and has been ranked as the nation’s 109th-best graduating senior by tennisrecruiting.net, which also lists Fields as a 4-star recruit.

Kote, who plays at John Jay High, is 11-1 this year and one of the top players in Section 1. He is ranked 22nd in the USTA Eastern Section 18’s and was ranked 166th in the country for 16’s. Tennisrecruiting.net has him as their 14th-ranked player in the state. 

Sacher, ranked 16th by tenniscruiting.net, plays out of North Shore High. He was ranked as high as No. 12 for USTA Eastern Section 16’s (134th nationally) and is a member of the prestigious John Hopkins Center for talented youth.

Notaris, who plays at Wantagh High, was ranked as high as No. 11 in USTA Eastern section boys 16’s (112th nationally). He is listed as No. 20 among NYS players by tennisrecruiting.net.

The Bearcats are set to return their entire starting singles lineup from the NCAA-bound 2012-13 team. The only doubles starter graduating is four-year letterwinner Bastian Bornkessel.

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis swept the major awards after capturing the program’s sixth straight America East championship. Head coach Adam Cohen was tabbed by his peers as conference Coach of the Year and freshman phenom Sid Hazarika was a unanimous choice for both Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

In his seventh year at Binghamton, Cohen garnered his fourth straight Coach of the Year award and fifth overall (2008, 2010-13). He guided the Bearcats to a 16-9 overall mark and a sixth straight conference crown. Binghamton extended one of the America East’s longest current title streaks with a 4-0 win over host UMBC on April 28. The Bearcats now head to Athens, Ga. to face second-ranked Georgia in the NCAA first round on May 10.

Hazarika came to campus in January and proceeded to steamroll to a 21-3 overall record, including a 10-1 mark up at the top singles spot. He knocked off two top-10 regionally ranked foes and also added 11 doubles wins playing at No. 1.

Joining Hazarika on the all-conference first team were junior Ruben Haggai, Robin Lesage and Alexander Maisin. Hazarika and his partner, senior Bastian Bornkessel, were selected first team in doubles, as were Lesage and his partner, sophomore Ismael Dinia.

Dinia earned second team all-conference recognition, as did the doubles tandem of Haggai and freshman Eliott Hureau.

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis (16-9) has drawn third-ranked Georgia (22-4) in the first round of the NCAA tournament. After winning the program’s sixth consecutive America East title, BU’s prize was a first-time trip to Athens to face the reigning SEC champion Bulldogs.

“We knew it would be a tough team whoever we drew ... but we didn’t think it would be the third-ranked team in the country,” said head coach Adam Cohen, whose team watched the NCAA Selection Show in the Events Center TAU Bearcat Room. “It is what it is and we will have to prepare over the next week and a half to be ready for Georgia. We look forward to the challenge and will come out with a lot of energy and give it all we have.”

The Bearcats will be making their ninth trip to the NCAA tournament in the last 11 years. The team, which features two freshmen in the top singles positions and just one senior, earned their bid with a 4-0 victory over UMBC in Sunday’s America East Championship. Binghamton beat the host Retrievers for the fourth straight year in the finals.

“It’s an honor to play such a high seed,” senior Bastian Bornkessel said of the NCAA matchup with Georgia. “You go for a reason ... so we will be ready and will give it our best.”

Georgia has four nationally-ranked singles players in its starting lineup, including the sixth-ranked player in the nation. They are coming off a 4-0 win over seventh-ranked Tennessee in the SEC championship match. It was Georgia’s second straight conference title. The Bulldogs will be making their 35th overall appearance in the tournament and 30th straight. Georgia reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 2012, and has reached the finals in three of the last seven seasons. In all, the Bulldogs own six NCAA championships, most recently winning in back-to-back seasons in 2007-08.

MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday, May 10

10 a.m. – Wake Forest vs. Northwestern

1 p.m. – Georgia vs. Binghamton

Saturday, May 11

3 p.m. – Winner Match 1 vs. 2

BALTIMORE, Md.—Binghamton men’s tennis continued its command of America East tennis with a 4-0 win over host and second-seeded UMBC in the championship match Sunday afternoon from the Retrievers Tennis Complex. The conference title was BU’s sixth straight and ninth in the last 11 years and advances the Bearcats to the NCAA tournament. It is one of the longest current title streaks of any team in any sport in the America East.

Head Coach Adam Cohen’s squad, which had two freshmen at the top of the lineup and five underclassmen playing singles, overcame its youth and a home-court Retrievers advantage that threatened to even the playing field. But the Bearcats came out and immediately put the pedal to the metal and grabbed the opening doubles point with two lopsided matches at first and second doubles. It was more of the same in singles as BU finished off UMBC in the first three completed matches.

“We came out with a lot of energy today from the first doubles point on,” Cohen said. “Our doubles play was probably the best its looked all season and from there we really put pressure on them, winning the first set in five of the six matches at singles. Every year is really so special and its just a testament to all the hard work these guys put in. We have a really young squad this season, so for guys like Sid (Hazarika), Alex (Maisin) and Elliot (Hureau) to step up at the top of our lineup has been really huge.”

Senior Bastian Bornkessel, the team’s lone senior who has seen nothing but titles in his four-year collegiate career, paired with freshman phenom Sid Hazarika for an 8-3 win at the top spot. The win was Bornkessel’s 70th career doubles victory, which ranks fourth in program history.

Junior Ruben Haggai and freshman Eliott Hureau combined for an 8-3 win at second doubles, beating their teammates at No. 3 to the wire to clinch the point and end doubles play. The third tandem of sophomores Robin Lesage and Ismael Dinia were up 6-4 when their match was halted.

In singles, Haggai polished off a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 5 to make it 2-0. Dinia won at No. 4, 6-3, 6-3 and Hazarika finished off the win with a 7-5, 6-0 triumph at first singles. Haggai, who stretched his win streak to 14 matches, was named the Most Outstanding Player. He went 2-0 in singles at the tournament and also posted a doubles win in the final to join his brother Alex Haggai as back-to-back Most Outstanding Players. The elder Haggai, a volunteer assistant this year while working toward his MBA at Binghamton, won the top honor last spring.

“Ruben deserved the award,” Cohen said. “He was our first guy off the court in singles today and before that, had a strong doubles match. He’s had a good run of late (14 straight wins) and was an important part of our championship run this weekend.”

Binghamton will gather Tuesday, April 30 to watch the unveiling of the 64-team NCAA Championship bracket and see where they will be headed. The team will meet the media and fans in the Events Center TAU Bearcat Room at 5 p.m. for the viewing on ncaa.com. 

“We’re excited to learn where we will be headed for NCAAs and very happy to keep our season going,” Cohen said.

NOTES
It was the fourth straight year and fifth in the last six that Binghamton has defeated UMBC in the finals.

No. 1 Binghamton 4, No. 2 UMBC 0
DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BU) def. Justin Carter & Gaulthier Berret (UMBC), 8-3
2. Haggai/Eliott Hureau (BU) def. Melker Svard & Eliott Loubatie (UMBC), 8-3
3. Lesage/Dinia (BU) led Daniel Gray & Alexandre Drean (UMBC), 6-4

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BU) def. Justin Carter (UMBC), 7-5, 6-0
2. Alex Maisin (BU) led Melker Svard (UMBC), 6-4, 5-2
3. Robin Lesage (BU) led Alexandre Drean (UMBC), 6-2, 2-6, 2-2
4. Ismael Dinia (BU) def. Gaulthier Berret (UMBC), 6-3, 6-3
5. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Kamal Patel (UMBC), 6-1, 6-1
6. Florian van Kann (BU) trailed Daniel Gray (UMBC), 5-7, 3-1

BALTIMORE, Md.—Top-seeded Binghamton men’s tennis (15-9) rolled over fourth-seeded Hartford 4-0 in the America East semifinals Friday afternoon from the UMBC Retriever Tennis Complex. Aiming for the program’s sixth consecutive conference title and adjoining NCAA berth, the Bearcats will face host and second-seeded UMBC in the championship finals Sunday morning beginning at 10 a.m. It will be a rematch of last year’s final, which BU won 4-1. Binghamton has defeated UMBC in the finals four times during its championship streak.

The Bearcats made quick work of the doubles, grabbing the opening point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Senior Bastian Bornkessel and freshman Sid Hazarika won 8-4 at the top spot and the tandem of sophomores Robin Lesage and Ismael Dinia was even less accommodating with an 8-0 win at No. 3. The second doubles team led their match 7-2 before being halted after the doubles point was clinched. 

In singles, junior No. 5 Ruben Haggai extended his win streak to 13 with a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Freshman No. 2 Alexander Maisin rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win for his 18th triumph of the year and Dinia posted a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 4 to give BU the three points necessary to move on.

UMBC defeated third-seeded Stony Brook 4-1 in the other semifinal.

America East Semifinals
No. 1 Binghamton 4, No. 4 Hartford 0

DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BU) defeated Badenko/Sharwarko (H), 8-4
2. Haggai/Eliott Hureau (BU) led Isaacson/Nedelcu (H), 7-2
3. Lesage/Dinia (BU) defeated Ureta/Montes (H), 8-0

SINGLES
1. Jordan Badenko (H) led Sid Hazarika (BU) 5-3
2. Alexander Maisin (BU) defeated Josh Isaacson (H), 6-1, 6-1
3. Robin Lesage (BU) led Nicholas Sharwarko (H), 6-2, 3-3
4. Ismael Dinia (BU) defeated Luis Montes (H), 6-2, 6-0
5. Ruben Haggai (BU) defeated Bogdan Nedelcu (H), 6-0, 6-1
6. Florian van Kann (BU) led Edgardo Ureta (H), 6-1, 5-0

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis departed for UMBC on Thursday, where the five-time reigning champions will compete at the America East Championship this weekend.

The Bearcats (14-9), the tournament’s top seed, will begin defense of their crown with a semifinal match against fourth-seeded Hartford at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. A win would move BU into Sunday’s 10 a.m. championship match. The America East winner receives the conference’s automatic berth into the NCAA Championship. Binghamton has won five consecutive conference titles - the third-longest active streak in any sport in the America East. The Bearcats have advanced to the NCAAs eight times in the last 10 years - easily the most successful sports team at the University.

After a challenging early spring that saw BU face five nationally-ranked opponents, the team has performed its trademark late-season surge. Head coach Adam Cohen‘s squad has won six matches in a row and nine of its last 10. Included in its win total are lopsided victories over America East opponents Hartford (7-0) and UMBC (6-1), teams that likely represent BU’s path at the tournament. The host and second-seeded Retrievers will benefit from a home environment - the first time the championship won’t be contested at a neutral location in BU’s 12-year tenure. Last year in Flushing, BU toppled UMBC 4-1 in the finals.

The Bearcats have freshmen playing in the top two singles positions and only one senior on the roster.

Freshman No. 1 Sid Hazarika has been outstanding, posting a 20-3 singles record, including a 9-1 mark at the top spot. Classmate Alexander Maisin has 17 wins at No. 2 in his inaugural collegiate season. Sophomore Robin Lesage (20-11) holds down the No. 3 spot, followed by sophomore Ismael Dinia (15-13), junior Ruben Haggai (20-9) and sophomore Florian van Kann (11-9) in the 4-6 positions. Haggai has won 12 consecutive matches and his championship experience will be pivotal. Senior doubles specialist Bastian Bornkessel (68 career doubles wins) combines with Hazarika to form BU’s top doubles tandem. 

“I think our guys are looking forward to the tournament,” Cohen said. “Having played five of our last six matches at home has helped get some of the guys rested. This will be the first time since my arrival that the tournament will not be at a neutral site ... so I think playing so many matches on the road and also playing at UMBC just a few weeks ago will help our guys. Our team is obviously young with two freshmen and three sophomores among our top six. However, we have played a difficult schedule up to this point so I feel our guys have been tested and have gained a good amount of experience and confidence over the spring season.”

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis captured its sixth straight match with a 6-1 win over visiting Niagara Wednesday afternoon from the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcats (14-9) have won nine of their last 10 matches.

Niagara seized the doubles point as BU started a bit sluggishly with losses at the top two positions. But the Bearcats returned to form in singles, winning the first three completed matches in straight sets and clinching the win with a three-set victory at No. 3.

Freshman No. 1 Sid Hazarika posted a 6-3, 6-3 win - his team-high 20th dual win of the spring (20-3). Hazarika is 9-1 since moving into the top singles position.

Junior No. 5 Ruben Haggai ran his win streak to 12 with a three-set win. Haggai (20-9 overall, 15-6 duals) dropped his opening set before roaring back for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win.

“Give credit to Niagara ... they played better than us in doubles,” head coach Adam Cohen said. “It was good to see us come back and win five first sets in singles after giving up that doubles point. That gave us the momentum. We dropped a few second sets in the middle when we were in position to close out some matches so that’s something we will have to continue to work on. Robin (Lesage) and Ismael (Dinia) finished on better terms though, which was good to see. We now look forward to one more home match before the conference tournament next weekend,”

Binghamton will conclude its regular season with a home match against America East foe Boston University at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The team will then prepare for the upcoming America East Championship, April 27-28 at UMBC, where BU will be aiming for its sixth consecutive conference title and accompanying NCAA berth. 

Binghamton 6, Niagara 1

DOUBLES
1. Raymond/Dufour-Coursol (N) def. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BU), 8-5
2. Schwojer/Elortegui (N) def. Eliott Hureau/Aswin Nambi (BU), 8-4
3. Lesage/Dinia (BU) def. Lacasse/Gallegos (N), 8-4

Order of Finish: 1,3,2

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BU) def. David Raymond (N), 6-3, 6-3
2. Alexander Maisin (BU) def. Michael Elortegui (N), 6-4, 6-2
3. Robin Lesage (BU) def. Olivier Dufour-Coursol (N), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
4. Ismael Dinia (BU) def. Lorenz Schwojer (N), 6-4, 5-7, 6-1
5. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Brandon Gallegos (N), 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
6. Florian van Kann (BU) def. Mathieu Lacasse (N), 6-0, 6-3

Order of Finish: 1,2,6,3,4,5

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis (13-9) continued its late-season surge with a 4-3 home win over Buffalo Sunday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. In turning back a good Bulls team (9-7), Binghamton won its fifth straight match and eighth in the last nine.

“It was another solid win against a good team,” head coach Adam Cohen said. “Our doubles play is showing signs of improvement and that’s going to be helpful moving forward. Doubles is always very important in tournament play. Unfortunately we lost a couple of close singles matches at the end but hopefully the guys can learn from them and be ready to come out strong next week in our final two home matches.”

The Bearcats swept the three doubles matches and won the first two singles matches to build a 3-0 lead. After Buffalo got on the board with a win at No. 1 singles, sophomore No. 3 Robin Lesage clinched the team win with his three-set triumph. It was his 19th singles win of the year.

Ahead 4-1, BU surrendered the final two matches after being up a set in each, tightening the final team score. 

Junior No. 5 Ruben Haggai extended his win streak to 11 matches with a strong 6-1, 6-4 win. Haggai raised his season record to 19-9 overall. Freshman No. 1 Sid Hazarika lost for just the third time in 22 matches in a well-played three-set match at the top spot. Sophomore No. 4 Ismael Dinia recorded BU’s other singles win by a 6-4, 6-3 score.

Binghamton hosts Niagara on Wednesday and then welcomes Boston University on Saturday in the team’s regular-season finale.

Binghamton 4, Buffalo 3
DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BU) Damien David/Ashwin Sharma (Buffalo), 8-2
2. Eliott Hureau/Haggai (BU) Hove/Jason Simon (Buffalo), 8-5
3. Lesage/Dinia (BU) def. Alvarez/Arevalillo (Buffalo), 8-1

Order of Finish: 1,3,2

SINGLES
1. Vusa Hove (Buffalo) def. Sid Hazarika (BU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
2. Damien David (Buffalo) def. Alexander Maisin (BU), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
3. Robin Lesage (BU) def. Pablo Alvarez (Buffalo), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
4. Ismael Dinia (BU) Pablo Arevalillo (Buffalo), 6-4, 6-3
5. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Ashwin Sharma (Buffalo), 6-1, 6-4
6. Akhil Mehta (Buffalo) def. Eliott Hureau (BU), 6-7, 7-5 (10-4)

Order of Finish: 5,4,1,3,6,2

BALTIMORE, Md.—Binghamton men’s tennis (12-9) continued to flex its muscle against conference opponents, rolling to a 6-1 win over UMBC Saturday afternoon at the UMBC Tennis Complex. It was a rematch of the 2012 America East championship final, which BU claimed 4-1.

In downing its third straight America East opponent, the Bearcats put themselves in position to gain the top seed for the conference tournament later this month in its quest a sixth consecutive league crown. Binghamton has now won four matches in a row and seven of its last eight.

After capturing the doubles point with wins at the top two positions, BU won at the top five singles positions for its winning margin. Three of the singles wins required three sets, however.

Freshman No. 1 Sid Hazarika improved to 19-2 overall with a straight-set win. Hazarika is a perfect 8-0 at the top singles spot. Classmate Alex Maisin dropped his opening set before roaring back for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 triumph at second singles. Sophomore Robin Lesage earned a tight three-set win at No. 3 and sophomore Ismael Dinia also was pushed to a third set. Junior No. 5 Ruben Haggai won his 10th straight match, 6-4, 6-4.

“We came out on top in three of the four three-setters, which was crucial,” head coach Adam Cohen said. “We’re glad to get the win on the road against a good team. We are expecting another tough match tomorrow against a good Buffalo team.”

The Bearcats will host in-state rival Buffalo at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the team’s newly-refurbished complex.

Binghamton 6, UMBC 1

DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BU) def. Carter/Berret (UMBC), 8-6
2. Eliott Hureau/Haggai (BU) def. Svard/Loubatie (UMBC), 8-3
3. Gray/Drean (UMBC) def. Lesage/Dinia (BU), 8-5
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BU) def. Justin Carter (UMBC), 6-4, 6-4
2. Alexander Maisin (BU) def. Melker Svard (UMBC), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. Robin Lesage (BU) def. Alex Drean (UMBC), 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
4. Ismael Dinia (BU) def. Gaulthier Berret (UMBC), 7-5, 5-7, 6-3
5. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Eliott Loubatie (UMBC), 6-4, 6-4
6. Daniel Gray (UMBC) def. Florian van Kann (BU), 6-3, 1-6, 6-4

VESTAL, N.Y.—The 2013 Binghamton Men’s Tennis E-Guide is now available for viewing!

The vibrant 18-page guide features information, photos and videos about the men’s tennis program, past and present.

Check out the video interviews with head coach Adam Cohen as he discusses his background and coaching philosophy, the sport of tennis and his Bearcats program.

Information about Binghamton University and the overall athletics program is also included, along with links to the America East Conference and other online sources.

The guide will permanently reside on the “Media Guide” page, which can be accessed on the column of links to the left.

VESTAL, N.Y.—Binghamton men’s tennis shook off an early push from Bucknell and rolled to a 7-0 shutout over the visiting Bison (11-6) Sunday afternoon from the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcats (11-9) rallied to capture the double point before winning all six singles matches. Head coach Adam Cohen’s squad completed its perfect 3-0 weekend and now has won six of its last seven matches.

With the doubles point riding on the final match at No. 2, BU’s tandem of junior Ruben Haggai and freshman Eliott Hureau rallied for an 8-6 win to give BU a quick 1-0 lead. Then the Bison held one-set leads in three of the early singles matches before BU sharpened its focus and finished off the match.

Freshman No. 1 Sid Hazarika rolled to a 6-4, 6-3 win - his 18th win in 20 collegiate matches. Hazarika improved to 7-0 at the top singles spot.

Haggai (17-9) also continued to shine, adding a singles win to his key doubles triumph. He dropped just two games in his straight-set win at No. 5 singles and has now won nine straight matches. 

The Bearcats will face 2012 America East runnerup UMBC next Saturday in Baltimore before hosting regional foe Buffalo on Sunday.

Binghamton 7, Bucknell 0
DOUBLES
1. Nick Bybel/Josh Katten (BUCK) def. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BING), 9-7
2. Haggai/Eliott Hureau (BING) def. Aidan Lynch/Ryan Marcil (BUCK), 8-6
3. Dinia/Lesage (BING) def. Octavio Canibe/Kelly Morque (BUCK), 8-1

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BING) def. Nick Bybel (BUCK), 6-4, 6-3
2. Alexander Maisin (BING) def. Kelly Morque (BUCK), 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Robin Lesage (BING) def. Josh Katten (BUCK), 6-7, 6-1, (10-3)
4. Ismael Dinia (BING) def. Kyle Rosen (BUCK), 6-3, 6-0
5. Ruben Haggai (BING) def. Octavio Canibe (BUCK), 6-1, 6-1
6. Janik Burri (BING) def. Aidan Lynch (BUCK), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

VESTAL, N.Y.—After playing 17 straight matches on the road to begin the spring season, Binghamton men’s tennis (10-9) celebrated its much-anticipated home opener with a pair of lopsided wins over conference foes Saturday at the Bearcats Sports Complex. Binghamton defeated Stony Brook 5-1 and then toppled Hartford 7-0.

Against the Seawolves in the early match, BU grabbed the doubles point and then dropped just three sets in singles. A few hours later, head coach Adam Cohen juggled his lineup and the Bearcats surrendered just 10 games in the six singles matches and Binghamton rolled to the shutout.

Freshman No. 1 Sid Hazarika, the reigning America East Player of the Week, won both his singles matches to improve to 17-2 overall. Sophomore Ismael Dinia and junior Ruben Haggai also won twice in singles with Haggai raising his record to 16-9 overall.

The Bearcats host Bucknell Sunday at 11 a.m. The scheduled match against Lafayette has been cancelled.

Binghamton 5, Stony Brook 1

DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BU) def. Knudtzon/Morales (S), 8-5
2. Eliott Hureau/Haggai (BU) trailed Forai/Locatelli (S), 5-6 susp.
3. Lesage/Dinia (BU) def. Timmermann/Degani (S), 8-4

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BU) def. Rick Timmermann (S), 6-1, 6-2
2. Mons Knudtzon (S) def. Alexander Maisin (BU), 0-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Robin Lesage (BU) trailed Jose Morales (S), 2-6, 6-4, 0-2 susp.
4. Ismael Dinia (BU) def. Marcelo Locatelli (S), 7-6, 6-3
5. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Robert Forai (S), 6-2, 6-2
6. Florian van Kann (BU) def. Vinicius Degani (S), 6-1, 6-1

Binghamton 7, Hartford 0
DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Hazarika (BU) trailed Badenko/Sharwarko (HARTFORD), 4-5, susp.
2. Lesage/Dinia (BU) def. Isaacson/Neves (HARTFORD), 8-1
3. Alexander Maisin/Florian van Kann (BU) def. Montes/Alex Holdstein (HARTFORD), 8-2

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BU) def. Jordan Badenko (HARTFORD), 6-1, 6-1
2. Robin Lesage (BU) def. Marco Neves (HARTFORD), 6-1, 6-3
3. Ismael Dinia (BU) def. Nicholas Sharwarko (HARTFORD), 6-1, 6-0
4. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Josh Isaacson (HARTFORD), 6-2, 6-0
5. Eliott Hureau (BU) def. Luis Montes (HARTFORD), 6-0, 6-0
6. Janik Burri (BU) def. Bogdan Nedelcu (HARTFORD), 6-0, 6-1

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Binghamton men’s tennis (8-9) ran into a buzzsaw and dropped its final spring break match to host UNC Greensboro (11-2), 5-2, Saturday afternoon at the UNCG Tennis Facility. The Spartans captured the doubles point before winning four of the six singles matches.

“It was a tough match,” head coach Adam Cohen said. “I thought our guys kept hanging in there ... we just didn’t pull it out today. Give UNC credit - they played good. We’re looking forward to playing some outdoor tennis next week at home for the first time this season.”

Freshman No. 1 Sid Hazarika continued his stellar rookie campaign with a three-set win at the top spot. Hazarika improved to 15-2 overall this spring. Junior No. 5 Ruben Haggai earned BU’s other win - also a three-set triumph.

Earlier, the top tandem of senior Bastian Bornkessel and sophomore Ismael Dinia posted an 8-6 win at the top doubles position.

Binghamton hosts America East rivals Stony Brook and Hartford on April 6 at the Bearcats Sports Complex.

UNCG 5, Binghamton 2
DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Ismael Dinia (BING) def. James Dougherty/Randy Phillips (UNCG) 8-6
2. Daniel Mack/Ahmet Sarioglu (UNCG) def. Sid Hazarika/Eliott Hureau (BING) 8-2
3. Cameron Smith/Gaston Murray (UNCG) def. Robin Lesage/Ruben Haggai (BING) 8-4

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BING) def. Ahmet Sarioglu (UNCG) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
2. James Dougherty (UNCG) def. Alexander Maisin (BING) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Gaston Murray (UNCG) def. Robin Lesage (BING) 6-4, 6-2
4. Randy Phillips (UNCG) def. Ismael Dinia (BING) 7-6 (10-8), 7-5
5. Ruben Haggai (BING) def. Daniel Mack (UNCG) 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. Cameron Smith (UNCG) def. Florian van Kann (BING) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7)

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (2,3,4,1,5,6)

“We played well in singles in some strong wind and tough weather conditions,” head coach Adam Cohen said. “It’s always good to get used to this kind of weather ... that will only help us later in the spring.”

Binghamton 7, Norfolk State 0
DOUBLES
1. DINIA,Ismael/BORNKESSEL,Bastian (BINGM) def. ZYHMANTOVICH,Dzmitry/RASTROMER-PELLO,Pete (NSUM) 8-5
2. HAZARIKA,Sid/HUREAU,Eliott (BINGM) def. RIETHMUELLER,Robin/BRAGA,Igor (NSUM) 9-7
3. GRAUEL,Daniel/LEMBERGER,Samuel (NSUM) def. LESAGE,Robin/HAGGAI,Ruben (BINGM) 8-6

SINGLES
1. HAZARIKA,Sid (BINGM) def. ZYHMANTOVICH,Dzmitry (NSUM) 6-1, 6-1
2. MAISIN,Alexander (BINGM) def. RIETHMUELLER,Robin (NSUM) 6-4, 6-4
3. LESAGE,Robin (BINGM) def. BRAGA,Igor (NSUM) 6-2, 6-1
4. DINIA,Ismael (BINGM) def. RASTROMER-PELLO,Pete (NSUM) 6-3, 6-2
5. HAGGAI,Ruben (BINGM) def. GRAUEL,Daniel (NSUM) 6-2, 6-3
6. KANN,Florian van (BINGM) def. LEMBERGER,Samuel (NSUM) 7-5, 6-0

HARRISONBURG, Va.—Binghamton men’s tennis (7-8) clinched a closely contested doubles point and then rolled to five singles wins in a 6-1 triumph over host James Madison Wednesday afternoon.

In a reshuffled singles lineup, freshman Sid Hazarika played his second straight match up at the top spot and coasted to a 6-2, 6-2 win. Hazarika, who began his spring at the No. 3 position, improved to a team-best 13-2 overall.

Sophomore No. 3 Robin Lesage clinched the team victory with a three-set win - his team-high 14th of the year. Earlier, Lesage and junior Ruben Haggai paired for an 8-3 win at third doubles. Sophomore Ismael Dinia also was a double-winner, combining with senior Bastian Bornkessel for the clinching doubles win - an 8-3 victory at No. 1. Dinia then captured his match at No. 5 singles in straight sets.

“There were tough conditions outside today,” head coach Adam Cohen said. “It was windy and temperatures in the 40s. But we were glad to be able to get the match in.”

The Bearcats will continue their spring break southern trip with a match Thursday at Norfolk State.

Binghamton 6, James Madison 1
DOUBLES
1. Bornkessel/Dinia (BING) def. Pool/Stirling (JMU), 8-3
2. Ramadier/Sentenac (JMU) def. Hazarika/Hureau (BING), 8-5
3. Haggai/Lesage (BING) def. Russo/Vladimirsky (JMU), 8-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1*

SINGLES
1. Sid Hazarika (BING) def. Ryan Pool (JMU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Alexander Maisin (BING) def. Hugo Ramadier (JMU) 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4
3. Robin Lesage (BING) def. Greg Vladimirsky (JMU) 6-1, 5-7, 6-2
4. Robert Stirling (JMU) def. Eliott Hureau (BING) 6-3, 6-1
5. Ismael Dinia (BING) def. Florent Sentenac (JMU) 7-5, 6-3
6. Ruben Haggai (BING) def. Maxi Branth (JMU) 3-6, 6-4, 10-4
Order of Finish: 1, 4, 5, 3*, 6, 2

NEW HAVEN, Conn.—Binghamton men’s tennis (6-8) split two matches Saturday at the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center. The Bearcats began the day with a 5-2 loss to No. 51 Yale and finished it with a 7-0 win over St. Bonaventure.

In the opening match, the nationally-ranked Bulldogs (12-3) captured the doubles point in two tightly-contested matches before winning four of the six singles matches to claim the 5-2 win. 

Freshman No. 2 Sid Hazarika provided his strongest win of his promising collegiate career with a straight-set win over Marc Powers - a senior who was ranked as high as No. 62 in the country last season and is one of the top players in the Northeast.

Junior Ruben Haggai also scored a win at No. 6 singles. Haggai dropped the opening set before rallying for a 9-7 win in the third set super tiebreak.

The Bearcats played three close doubles matches, including a narrow 8-6 loss to the nationally-ranked top duo of the Bulldogs.

Against the Bonnies, BU won every match to record the shutout.

Hazarika (12-2) moved up to the top spot and dropped just two games in his straight-set match.

No. 51 Yale 5, Binghamton 2
DOUBLES
1. #59 Daniel Hoffman/Marc Powers (Y) def. Bastian Bornkessel/Ismael Dinia (BU), 8-6
2. John Huang/Patrick Chase (Y) led Eliott Hureau/Sidhartha Hazarika (BU) 7-6 DNF
3. Zach Dean/Matt Saiontz (Y) def. Ruben Haggai/Robin Lesage (BU), 8-6

SINGLES
1. John Huang (Y) def. Alexander Maisin (BU), 6-3, 6-3
2. Sidhartha Hazarika (BU) def. Marc Powers (Y), 7-5, 6-3
3. Daniel Hoffman (Y) def. Robin Lesage (BU), 6-1, 6-3
4. Martin Svenning (Y) def. Eliott Hureau (BU), 6-4, 6-2
5. Zach Dean (Y) def. Ismael Dinia (BU), 5-7, 6-4, 1-0(6)
6. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Kyle Dawson (Y), 5-7, 6-3, 1-0(7)

Binghamton 7, St. Bonaventure 0
DOUBLES
1. Bastian Bornkessel/Ismael Dinia (BU) def. Luis Guevara/Oscar Yanez (St. Bona), 8-4
2. Eliott Hureau/Sidhartha Hazarika (BU) led Elliot Fanshel/Javier Ortiz (St. Bona), 7-4 Unfinished
3. Ruben Haggai/Robin Lesage (BU) def. Trevor Haskell/Gabriel Cardenas (St. Bona), 8-2

SINGLES
1. Sidhartha Hazarika (BU) def. Oscar Yanez (St. Bona), 6-0, 6-2
2. Alexander Maisin (BU) def. Elliot Fanshel (St. Bona), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
3 Eliott Hureau (BU) def. Luis Guevara (St. Bona), 7-5, 2-6, 10-0
4. Ismael Dinia (BU) def. Javier Ortiz (St. Bona), 6-2, 6-1
5. Ruben Haggai (BU) def. Celso de vera Rehberger (St. Bona),  6-2, 6-0
6. Florian van Kann (BU) def. Gabriel Cardenas (St. Bona), 6-1, 6-2