Juniata Drops Landmark Championship Grudge Match 5-4 to Catholic
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata College men’s tennis team came up just short of its first Landmark Conference title Sunday afternoon. The Eagles, competing in their first ever championship match, faced off against the Cardinals of Catholic University of America and were just one win shy of the victory, falling 5-4. Juniata finished the season 17-2.
By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Cat Scholl
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata College men's tennis team came up just short of its first Landmark Conference title Sunday afternoon. The Eagles, competing in their first ever championship match, faced off against the Cardinals of Catholic University of America and were just one win shy of the victory, falling 5-4. Juniata finished the season 17-2.
Senior Elliott Perow (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) and sophomore Mike Lifshitz (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) started things off on the right foot for the Eagles, storming through No. 3 doubles 8-0 in just over a half hour. Freshman Dean Polisena (Adelaide, Australia/Saint Ignatius) and sophomore Logan Moore (Chadds Ford, Pa./Unionville) battled through a tough match at No. 1 doubles, but eventually fell 8-4.
The No. 2 pairing of senior Justin Wisniewski (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) and sophomore Bryan Gregory (Glenn Mills, Pa./Garnet Valley) pounded out the dramatic 8-6 win to put Juniata on top 2-1. Wisniewski, battling through an injury at the No. 3 position, retired half way through set two just before Moore and Perow closed out straight set wins at the No. 5 and No. 4 singles positions, respectively, to give Juniata the 4-2 lead.
The Cardinals closed out the final three singles positions to claim its first title in program history competing in its second championship match. The Eagles set a new program record for wins this season and also set the Landmark record for league wins in a single season.
Juniata 4 Catholic 5
Doubles
1. Juan Lorido/Cassian Utrie (CUAMT) def. Dean Polisena/Logan Moore (JUNM) 8-4
2. Bryan Gregory/Justin Wisniewski (JUNM) def. Joe Peters/Jason Quisberth (CUAMT) 8-6
3. Elliott Perow/Michael Lifshitz (JUNM) def. Brian Bradley/Rocky Alaqbani (CUAMT) 8-0
Singles
1. Juan Lorido (CUAMT) def. Dean Polisena (JUNM) 7-6 (7-5), 6-0
2. Brian Bradley (CUAMT) def. Bryan Gregory (JUNM) 6-2, 6-1
3. Cassian Utrie (CUAMT) def. Justin Wisniewski (JUNM) 6-0, 3-0, retired
4. Elliott Perow (JUNM) def. Joe Peters (CUAMT) 6-2, 6-1
5. Logan Moore (JUNM) def. Jason Quisberth (CUAMT) 6-0, 6-1
6. Rocky Alaqbani (CUAMT) def. Michael Lifshitz (JUNM) 6-2, 6-4
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