Cieplicki clinches fifth point, Purple Knights complete comeback against Saint Anselm

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Senior Sam Cieplicki (South Burlington, Vt./New Hampton School) fought back after losing his first set to earn the fifth and clinching point to help the Saint Michael's College men's tennis team complete its comeback and claim a 5-4 victory against Saint Anselm College on Wednesday at the Saint Anselm Outdoor Tennis Courts.

The Purple Knights, who snapped a three-match skid, improve to 5-4 overall and 4-4 in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the Hawks fall to 2-8 and 1-8.

Cieplicki stood at No. 3 and lost the first set, 6-1, before claiming the final two sets, 6-3 and 6-0, to help the Purple Knights complete the comeback, as they trailed 2-1 after the doubles portion.

Sophomores Chris Allen (Springfield, Mass./Cathedral) and Tom Brahm (Marlborough, Conn./Xavier) won 8-5 in the third slot, while senior Brian Healey (Ware, Mass./Belchertown) and junior Kenny Vassallo (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) narrowly lost by an 8-6 count at No. 2.

The Purple Knights snagged four of the six matches in singles with three of them in straight sets. Junior Eric Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C./Pinecrest) sat in the second position and nabbed a 6-4, 6-4 triumph, while sophomore Nick Bosco (Glastonbury, Conn./East Catholic) won, 6-1, 6-4, in the top spot. Freshman Billy Wood (Wayne, Pa./Home Schooled) captured a 6-1, 6-1 decision at No. 6. Vassallo won his first set in the fifth slot but eventually suffered a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat.

The Purple Knights are at Southern New Hampshire University next Tuesday for a 3 p.m. NE-10 match. The Penmen qualified for last year's NE-10 Tournament title match and are sixth in the NCAA's East region poll.