WILLIAMSTOWN, MA  -- May 9, 2013 - The Bison of Nichols College (19-5) defeated the Colby-Sawyer Chargers (14-8) 5-0 today in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tennis Tournament in a match played at Williams College.

With the win the Bison advance to a Second Round match versus host Williams College at 9:30 AM tomorrow. Nichols is now 2-1 all-time in NCAA play, having appeared in the two consecutive tournaments. The Bison extended their win streak to nine, the longest of the season. The 19 wins by Nichols is a program best for most wins in a season.

Colby-Sawyer, making their first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, saw their current win streak stopped at three.

Nichols, the Commonwealth Conference Champions, made an early statement by wining the three doubles matches by wide margins. At the top of the ladder at number one doubles the Bison won 8-0 behind the play of Brandon Rhode and Eduardo Irizarry. Nichols then claimed the second and third doubles matches by the identical score of 8-1.

Nichols' number three doubles tandem of Carlos De la Cruz and Josh Halpern notched their win moments before the #2 pairing of David Drucker and Justin DeLuca provided the Bison with a sweep of the doubles and a 3-0 lead.

Eduardo Irizarry claimed the fourth point for the Bison when he defeated Clay Allen 6-0, 6-0. David Drucker then made the final score at 5-0 when he won 6-1, 6-0 over Sergio Spassof.

--Courtesy of Williams 

Nichols 5, Colby-Sawyer 0
05/09/13 at Williamstown, Mass. (Williams College) 

Singles competition

1. Nathan Taschereau (CSC) vs. Justin DeLuca (NC) 1-6, 0-1, unfinished

2. Justin Pinard (CSC) vs. Brandon Roode (NC) 1-6, 1-4, unfinished

3. Eduardo Irizarry (NC) def. Clay Allen (CSC) 6-0, 6-0

4. David Drucker (NC) def. Sergio Spassof (CSC) 6-1, 6-0

5. Reeve Fidler (CSC) vs. Carlos De La Cruz (NC) 2-6, 0-1, unfinished

6. Paul Holland (CSC) vs. Josh Halpern (NC) 3-6, 1-2, unfinished

Doubles competition

1. Brandon Roode/Eduardo Irizarry (NC) def. Nathan Taschereau/Reeve Fidler (CSC) 8-0

2. David Drucker/Justin DeLuca (NC) def. Justin Pinard/Sergio Spassof (CSC) 8-1

3. Carlos De La Cruz/Josh Halpern (NC) def. Clay Allen/Paul Holland (CSC) 8-1

Match Notes

Nichols 19-5

Colby-Sawyer 14-8

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (,3,4)

NCAA Tournament First Round

T-1:30 A-40