Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Oneonta, NY – The Red Dragons men's tennis team 2016/17 season has come to a close today but not before having played ten teams on their schedule that are either regionally or nationally ranked or who went onto NCAA tournament berths.  A tall order for any team but The Red Dragons came out of the season with a 9-12 record.  Today though SUNY Oneonta took on their community rivals Hartwick College and their SUNY neighbors Delhi in a split squad affair with all 12 courts on the complex being utilized.  The local regional competition went overwhelmingly in Oneonta's favor shutting both of those squads out 9-0. 

In doubles the team of senior Michael Nelson (Manhasset/Manhasset) playing his last career match and his partner sophomore Joseph D'Orazio (Smithtown/Smithtown) in the number one position defeated Hartwick 8-2.  Sophomore Nicholas Fox (Commack/Commack) and junior Cole Laffitte (East Setauket/Ward Melville) were very impressive in an 8-0 triumph.  Junior Timothy Distler (Amityville/St. John the Baptist) and freshman Alexander Reiley (Manorville/Eastport) teamed together for the first time at the third position and also won 8-0. 

Going into the singles stanza the Red Dragons had a commanding 3-0 lead which was never threatened.  Nelson, D'Orazio, Laffitte,  Fox, Distler and Reiley all got wins in the number one-six single positions respectfully losing only five games between them.  Those wins completed the shutout of their city rivals retaining bragging rights of Oneonta Tennis.

The split squad matches v SUNY Delhi also was a dominant affair for the Red Dragons.  Playing in the number one doubles position today was freshman Marco Ammirati (Huntington/Huntington) and junior Zach Lasky (Latham/Colonie) and they overwhelmed the Delhi pair shutting them out 8-0.  Sophomore Michael DeNigris and freshman Kiran Narsipur (Ossining/Ossining) had a little trouble finding their rhythm at the second flight but got through the match doubling up their opponents 8-4.  Junior James Blatchly (Locust Valley/Locust Valley) and junior Brian Roser (Pittsford/Pittsford Sutherland) were confident and came out on top with an 8-2 victory in the third position.  Another 3-0 commanding lead for the Red Dragons going into the singles competition. 
DeNigris, Lasky, Ammirati, Blatchly, Roser and junior Darren Pikul (Highland/Highland) were absolutely dominant in singles positions one through six respectfully.  The six Red Dragons had no trouble and between them lost only two games.  This completed the double shutout for The Red Dragons and wrapped up a highly competitive 2016/17 campaign.

Competition however does not end for the Red Dragons and they now get a month off to complete the semester as students.  The team will then reconvene on Friday, June 2^nd at Newark Airport and get on a plane to Portugal for a series of exhibitions against some of the top local talent.