BLOOMSBURG, PA (April 23, 2010) – Arpit Sharma looked like a different person – in more ways than one -- with his new haircut especially during his doubles match with partner Kaushik Das against Millersville University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) semifinal match at Bloomsburg Friday afternoon.  

Sharma's long flowing hair was gone. Instead, Sharma had very little hair on his head. With the hair he grew for four months gone, Sharma also seemed to lose some of his mojo as he and Das struggled in their doubles match before overcoming a late deficit to help the top-seeded Golden Bears post a 5-0 victory over Millersville.

With the victory, the Golden Bears (9-4 overall) will defend their PSAC title against Mercyhurst, a 5-4 winner over Bloomsburg in the championship match beginning at Noon on Saturday. Millersville and Bloomsburg will meet in a consolation tilt also starting at the same time.

“Never thought my strength would be my hair,” Sharma said with a smile. “I had to planned to cut my hair anyway, but when they handed out flyers for the Shave to Save, I figured I would do that and plus it was for a good cause so I had no problems getting my hair cut. My head feels lighter and I can feel the breeze.”

It was easy to joke after Sharma and Das, who are undefeated as doubles partners this season, overcame a 6-5 deficit against Millersville's top duo of Drew Slocum and Andrew Sorgi to post a 9-8 decision. Das and Sharma committed several unforced errors during the match. The Marauder tandem even broke serve.

However, Das and Sharma regained their focus in plenty of time and did what they needed to do to claim the victory. The match was pretty intense as both doubles teams matched stroke for stroke and turned in some incredible and momentum-changing shots.

“They were resilient and showed toughness in that victory,” Kutztown head coach Suresh Ramamurthi said. “Both guys are team players and they push each other to get to the top. They think about the team first.”

Senior Jonathan Goulet had a dominant afternoon. Goulet and Bobby Zerwick won their doubles match 8-1. They were the first ones finished. Goulet also was an easy 6-1, 6-1 winner at No. 2 singles.

The third doubles match was also a tight affair for the Golden Bears with Cameron O'Donnell and Asok Mukherjee claiming a tense and tight, 9-7 decision. Mukerjee clinched Kutztown's victory when he won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.

“It feels good to get back to the championship again, but we need to win it,” Goulet said. “We want to stay champions. As a team, we haven't proven anything yet.”

The Golden Bears defeated Mercyhurst, 5-4, on March 26 in Erie. The Golden Bears are going for their ninth overall PSAC championship and seventh in the last eight years. Meanwhile, the Lakers (13-10) have won three in a row and six out of their last eight matches. Mercyhurst finished in the consolation bracket last season, and is making its first appearance in the PSAC final.

Kutztown 5, Millersville 0

Singles

Jonathan Goulet (Quebec, CANADA/) (KU) d. Tyler Reppert, 6-1, 6-1

Asok Mukherjee (/) (KU) d. Andrew Sorgi, 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

Kaushik Das (Guwahati, INDIA/)/Arpit Sharma (Kolkata, INDIA/) (KU) d. Sorgi/Slocum, 9-8

Johnathan Goulet/Bobby Zerwick (Bowers/Kutztown) (KU) d. Reppert/Wright, 8-1

Asok Mukherjee (/)/Cameron O'Donnell (Allentown/Parkland) (KU) d. Ben/Swantko, 9-7

--KU--