Men's Tennis Set to Open America East Championship Friday

Senior Michael Kopelman won his doubles match and led in singles during the 2011 AE semifinals.

Senior Michael Kopelman won his doubles match and led in singles during the 2011 AE semifinals.

April 26, 2012

America East Championship Central

BOSTON - Seeded fourth, the Boston University men's tennis team will open the America East Championship against No. 5 Hartford on Friday afternoon with action set to begin at 2 p.m. at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Winners of four of their last six matches, the Terriers (5-13) previously played the Hawks (4-14) on the road two weeks ago and earned a 6-1 victory. In that meeting, BU swept through doubles and won five of the six singles matches.

Senior Josh Friedman led the way at the top spot with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Marco Neves. UH's lone victory came at No. 2 with Aneil Bhalla earning a 6-3, 6-4 win over sophomore Jesse Frieder.

The Terriers dropped one other set at No. 3, but senior Michael Kopelman rallied for the 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. Junior Alex Hallenbeck won comfortably at No. 6, as he only lost one game in a 6-1, 6-0 win.

BU enters the tournament having received two America East Player of the Week awards this season. Hallenbeck received his first on April 3 after freshman Emilio Teran was tabbed on March 20.

Teran has been a consistent threat for the Terriers, recording a 10-8 record in his first year on Commonwealth Ave.

The winner of Friday's first round match-up will face top-seeded and defending champion Binghamton (13-11) on Saturday (April 28) at 2 p.m.