Erie, PA. -- An early doubles deficit proved insurmountable for Mount Aloysius men's tennis as they closed out their season with a postseason loss to rival Penn State Altoona. The day saw grad student Cole Kazmierczyk (Johnstown, PA, Richland) play his final match for the program, capping off a well-acclaimed five year career with Mount Aloysius. 

The Mounties fell behind early at the one doubles position, unable to find footing amidst a punishing return game from their opponents. A late uptick in aggression would notch the pair a service hold before falling to Penn State Altoona 1-8. Two doubles opened stronger than their one doubles counterparts, trading games with high energy play and swarming net control, but struggled to find first serves. Penn State Altoona would consolidate a break at the halfway mark of the set, running with the momentum to take the flight 4-8. Finally, struggles with positioning against offensive lob plays would herald the downfall of the Mounties three doubles team, who fell 3-8 to their opponents. 

Taking an 0-3 deficit into singles, it was Mount Aloysius's bookend positions who would respond most viciously, with Kazmierczyk at one singles and sophomore Hunter Reed (Shamokin, Pa., Our Lady of Lourdes) at six singles taking their opening sets. Despite impressive shot making and well-crafted setups, Penn State Altoona's passing game and foot speed at two singles proved insurmountable for net crashing sophomore Matt Jacobs (Somerset, PA, Somerset). Three singles followed a similar story, with the steady aggression of his opponent overwhelming freshman Lucas Letizia (Dublin, Oh., Worthington Christian) to give the Lions the overall team victory. 

Match of the Meet

Kazmierczyk finished his college tennis career with a singles effort that displayed immense shotmaking from both players. Struggling to spread the court early amidst a barrage of power from his opponent off both wings, Kazmierczyk would give up an early break while attempting to find a rhythm within the rallies. Finally settling in, Kazmierczyk would begin to extend rallies, responding to pace in kind, adding heavy spin production and impressive depth to neutralize his opponent's offense. After closing out the first set, Kazmierczyk would not waste any momentum, putting together five consecutive games in the second set before his opponent would find a hold just as the meet was concluded at decision. The effort would net Kazmierczyk Mount Aloysius's player of the tournament honors, a fitting end for an impressive five-year career. 

Mount Aloysius men's tennis ends in third place for the AMCC conference, with Penn State Behrend claiming the conference championship following a five match sweep of Penn State Altoona.