The Suffolk University Men's Tennis team advanced to the Greast Notheast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship by defeating the Norwich University Cadets in Thursday's semi-final matchup by a score of 8-1.
Senior Diego Alvarado (Boston, Mass.) took down the 2010 GNAC Player of the Year, Collin Hyte by consecutive scores of 6-3 in the top singles match of the day as the Rams now move to a perfect 10-0 on the season. Alvarado avenged last week's loss with ease as the Rams head into Saturday's finals looking to defend their title in a rematch of last year's conference finals with Emerson College.
Suffolk once again swept doubles play as the top two duos in the conference were victorious by 8-2 scores. Alvarado and freshman Harlan Strader (Marblehead, Mass.) won their game in the top spot, while sophomore Chris Staley (London, England) and junior John Samander (Curacao, Netherlands) remained perfect on the season in the second doubles spot.
Senior Jared Orkin (Newton, Mass.) and junior Justin Ayoub (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were victorious in the third doubles position for the Rams, and both earned victories in singles play.
Freshman Fritz Kaelber earned the lone Cadets' point on the evening topping Suffolk's Chris Staley in the second position. The GNAC's Co-Rookie of the Year earned the win as Staley was forced to retire in the second set.
The other Co-Rookie of the Year, Harlan Strader remained perfect in singles play winning 6-1, 6-3 in the number four position for the Rams.
Saturday's finals matchup will begin at 1:30pm at the Winchester Indoor Country Club.