GORHAM, Maine – Freshman Kyle Curley (Gorham, Maine) clinched the decisive final point with a hard-won 6-0, 7-6 (1), 6-1 victory at third singles as the University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's tennis team raised the Little East Conference Tournament Championship trophy for the first time since 2007 with a 5-1 win over the UMass Boston Beacons Saturday afternoon. The match started at the Gorham High School Tennis Courts, but was moved to Portland, Maine's Portland Racket and Fitness after a rain delay.
With the win, Southern Maine earns its 14th consecutive victory and punches its ticket to the 2014 NCAA Division III National Championship tournament. The Huskies' opponent and schedule has yet to be determined. UMass Boston, the 2013 Little East Conference Champion, finished its season at 9-9 with the loss.
Southern Maine led 2-1 after the doubles points and then earned its necessary three points with wins at fourth, first and third singles respectively. Huskies' senior captains Christopher G. Ross (Somerset, Mass.) and Corey Dyke (Monmouth, Maine/Monmouth Academy) started the match for the Huskies earning the first point with a solid 8-1 win at third doubles defeating the UMass Boston tandem of senior Lyle Analetto (Belmont, Mass.) and freshman Jack Wang (Suzhou, China/Suzhou First). USM led 2-0 with a win by sophomore Max Wilkey (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Island School (Hong Kong)) at second doubles 8-1 over the Beacons' seniors Eglis Bizhoti (Kucove, Albania) and Mark Grinhaus (Scarsdale, N.Y./Northwood).
The Beacons fought back to earn the final doubles point of the match as Sean Cllen and Charles Lai battled their way to an 8-6 win at first doubles defeating USM sophomore Tyler Adams (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) and junior Scott Gagne (Lewiston, Maine).
In singles action, Gagne pushed the Huskies' advantage to 3-1 with a strong 6-1, 6-0 victory over Grinhaus at fourth singles, before Adams put the Huskies' ahead big at 4-1 with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win at first doubles over senior Sean Cullen (Medway, Mass.).
Curley earned the fifth and final point at third singles. After defeating Bizhoti 6-0 to start the match strongly, Bizhoti struck back with a 7-6 (1) victory in the second set, before Curley bounced back with a strong 6-1 final set. Curley's play earned him the Most Valuable Player distinction for the 2014 LEC tournament.
"These guys have been working hard since late January," said first-year head coach Aaron Bergeron. "They've put in the effort to get in shape and prepare for tough three-set matches. Today that work paid off and I am so proud of this group and what they have been able to accomplish this season. As a first year coach, I could not have asked for more. Kyle fights so hard in every match and I am glad he was honored as tourney MVP. And our leaders, Chris and Corey really helped to keep our guys grounded and focused throughout the season. I am ecstatic that they have earned a conference championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament in their final season."
Earning the 2014 Little East Conference Tournament Championship, Southern Maine earned the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. Southern Maine last won the LEC Championship in 2007. In the 2007 NCAA tournament, the Huskies' defeated Ithaca College 5-4 to earn the programs first ever NCAA Tournament match win advancing to the second round before falling to Middlebury, 5-0.
2014 Little East Conference Men's Tennis Tournament Championship
Tuesday, April 29
No. 5 Rhode Island College 2 at No. 4 UMass Dartmouth 5
No. 6 Bridgewater State 1 at No. 3 Western Connecticut, 5
Thursday, May 1
No. 4 UMass Dartmouth 1 at No. 1 Southern Maine 5
Friday, May 2
No. 3 Western Connecticut 2 at No. 2 UMass Boston, 5
Saturday, May 3
UMass Boston 1 vs. Southern Maine 5
2014 Little East Conference Champion: Southern Maine
2014 LEC Tournament MVP: Kyle Curley, Southern Maine
–cac–
