Albion nets key victory over Medina to clinch tie for N-O tennis title

Photos by Cheryl Wertman
Kyler McQuillan and Monica Benjovsky teamed up to win the decisive point at first doubles to earn Albion a key victory over host Medina this afternoon gaining the Purple Eagles at least a tie for the Niagara-Orleans League title.

Clinching at least a tie for the title, Albion posted a 3 1/2-2 victory over host defending champion Medina this afternoon in a key Niagara-Orleans League tennis match.

A come-from-behind three set victory by the duo of Kyler McQuillan and Monica Benjovsky, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 over Nick Dieter and Michael Cardone at first doubles, earned Albion at least a share of its first N-O championship since 2004.

Improving to 9-2, Albion also got key wins by Josh Metzler at second singles, 6-3, 6-4 over Tristan Sanders, and by Daniel Beam at third singles, 6-4, 6-3 over Xion Baes.

The Purple Eagles also took the third doubles as Dylan Bader and Matt Kovaleski downed Tom Horgan and Austin Owens 6-1, 6-0.

"I’m estatic for the kids," said Albion Coach Jay Kovaleski. "It could have gone either way."

Medina, which slips to 8-3, took the first singles as Kristian Snyder downed Dyer Benjovsky 6-1, 6-2 and the second doubles as Carson Zgoda and Brian Bogan bested Cristal Quintana and Michael Stilwell 6-0, 6-0.

Michael Cardone and Nick Dieter in action for Medina at first doubles.

Roy-Hart 5, Newfane 1/2
Straight set wins by the singles trio of Valeria Sillar, 6-1, 6-1 over Jeremy Ribbeck, Elliot Spitzer, 6-1, 6-4 over Jeff Hamm and Jared Shepard, 6-1, 6-0 over Delaney Wasik, keyed Roy-Hart to a 5-1/2 victory over visiting Newfane.

The Rams also took the first two doubles matches as Quinn Moreland and Patrick Sheelar defeated Casey Gregory and Joel Swogier 6-4, 6-4 and Tim Moriarity and Angelina Ciarfella downed Whitney Atkins and Nick Kozial 6-3, 6-3.

Newfane took the third doubles as Cameron Seib and Jacob Koithan downed Denzel Flowers and Kelsey Eldridge 6-4, 6-2.

The Rams and Panthers are now both 1-9.

Holley 5, Byron-Bergen 0

Straight set wins by the singles trio of Brady Smith, Ian Penders and Jon Rusin sparked Holley to a 5-0 victory over Byron-Bergen in a Genesee Region Leeague match.

Improving to 9-4, the Hawks also got three set wins by the doubles teams of Hunter DeFelice – Ben Scott and Andrew Spychalski – Diana Yaroshuhuk.