by Mike Butler
perspectives editor
Despite the numerous rain-outs and a tough 1-2 start against non-conference teams, the defending PAC champion Cabrini men’s tennis team have been dominating opponents this season.
The team, ranked #1 in the preseason, is tied for first with Beaver College in the PAC with a 5-0 record in the PAC and a 9-3 record overall. Last week, Cabrini blew out Philadelphia College of Bible, a team looking to be accepted into the PAC in the future, 7-0 and earned a win against conference foe Eastern College 5-2 on Tuesday . Before their 4-3 loss on April 9 against Goucher College, Cabrini had shut out their last five opponents, including PAC competitors Marywood, Alvernia and Gwynedd-Mercy.
Behind this dominating record is a core of dominating players. Scott Giblin at the first singles position has not lost a match all season and has been named PAC Tennis Player of the Week twice, the only player in the PAC to do that this season. Gary Cassera is undefeated in conference play at the second singles position as is Ricky Romyn at sixth singles and PAC Tennis Player of the Week for April 2 Dan McConnell at fifth singles. Len Yacona at third singles has only one loss this season. McConnell and Romyn are the only seniors on the team. Giblin and Cassera are sophomores and Yacona is a freshman along with doubles players Justin Sicile and Brett O’Malley. With this blend of lower and upperclassmen, the team is likely to grow even more dominant next season.
The most important game of Cabrini’s season occurs on Thurs. April 19 at home against Beaver College (4-0 in the PAC, 5-2 overall and ranked #2 in the PAC preseason poll) in a match that could decide who wins the PAC. The last game of the season will be at home against PAC rival Wesley College. Cabrini will then be headed for the PAC Championships at Eastern College on the weekend of April 27-28. Where Cabrini will be seeded will depend on their performance against Beaver and Wesley.
