| 4/24/2005 2:47:07 PM

Pittsford, NY -- For the first time since 2001 the RIT men's tennis team are Empire 8 champions. The #1 seeded Tigers defeated #2 Ithaca, 4-3 in the championship match.

The Bombers won the doubles point, winning two out of the three matches. Seniors David Chachu (Kumasi, Ghana/Mfantsipim School) (Kumasi, Ghana/Mfantsipim School) and Rod Razavi (Cincinnati, OH/Cincinnati Country Day) (Cincinnati, OH/Cincinnati Country Day) won their match 8-6 at first doubles.

In singles, Chachu and Solome both had wins for RIT. Also, freshman, Zak Blazic (Wyncote, PA/Cheltenham) (Wyncote, PA/Cheltenham) won for the Tigers. The deciding match was won by the senior Razavi 6-5, 6-3.

The Tigers finish their season with an amazing 11-2 record in dual matches.

Results:
Doubles: 1. David Chachu (Kumasi, Ghana/Mfantsipim School)/Rod Razavi (Cincinnati, OH/Cincinnati Country Day) (RIT) def. Colin Flynn/Joe Young (IC) 8-6
2. Chris Ciolino/Scott Gerbereux (IC) def. Jason Swails (Vestal, NY/Vestal)/Darren Stanley (Vestal, NY/Vestal) (RIT) 8-2
3. Mike Abitbol/Jeff Buffum (IC) def. Frank Solome (Rochester, NY/Eastridge)/Jon New (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) (RIT) 9-8(7-4)

Singles

1. David Chachu (Kumasi, Ghana/Mfantsipim School) (RIT) def. Chirs Ciolino (IC) 6-2, 6-3
2. Colin Flynn (IC) def. Darren Stanley (Vestal, NY/Vestal) (RIT) 6-3, 7-5
3. Frank Solome (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) (RIT) def. Mike Abitbol (IC) 6-4, 6-0
4. Zak Blazic (Wyncote, PA/Cheltenham) (RIT) def. Joe Young (IC) 6-4, 6-1
5. Jeff Buffum (IC) def. Jon New (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) (RIT) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
6. Rod Razavi (Cincinnati, OH/Cincinnati Country Day) (RIT) def. Darren Hochbery (IC) 7-5, 6-3