BLOOMSBURG, PA (April 24, 2010) – The Most Outstanding Player plaque that Asok Mukherjee held in his sweaty hands after helping the Kutztown University men's tennis team repeat as Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champions was all the confirmation he needed that his hard-work, dedication and fitness-training paid off.
Mukherjee and the Golden Bears celebrated a 5-2 victory over Mercyhurst in the title tilt at Bloomsburg University on a beautiful sun-splashed Saturday afternoon. While the Golden Bears were excited and sported smiles as wide as the Susquehanna River upon receiving their championship plaques from PSAC commissioner Steve Murray, Mukherjee was thrilled that he was a key member of this season's team. (BOXSCORE)
“This means a lot to me because I didn't get a chance to play in last year's championship,” Mukherjee said. “I am glad coach had confidence in me this year to move me to No. 3. I am just really proud of myself. It was hard last year because I did feel left out, but at the same time, I knew there were six players who were better than me.”
During the two-day championship tournament, Mukherjee was at the top of his game. His effort helped Kutztown win its eighth PSAC crown in 10 years. It was KU's ninth PSAC title in men's tennis history. Also as PSAC champions, Kutztown should receive a bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals for the second straight season. The Golden Bears celebrated their championship with a delicious meal at Applebee's.
“Asok's biggest leap this season was in his fitness, strength and training,” Kutztown tennis coach Suresh Ramamurthi said. “He knew he had to keep working hard to become a steady contributor for us this season. I am very proud of him. We set some goals at the start of the season and he followed them. He was dedicated, disciplined and respectful of what his role was going to be this year.”
Kutztown needed newcomers to step in and contribute immediately if it was going to reach the PSAC pinnacle again. Only two seniors, Arpit Sharma and Jonathan Goulet, returned from last year's dominant squad that won the NCAA Atlantic Regional and advanced to the Sweet 16 in Florida.
The Golden Bears had the talent, but it wasn't seasoned at the beginning of the season. However, all the pieces came together at the perfect time for the Golden Bears, who won two out of three doubles matches against Mercyhurst.
Kaushik Das (Guwahati, INDIA/) and Sharma posted an 8-4 decision at No. 1 doubles. Mukherjee and Cameron O'Donnell prevailed at No. 3 doubles, 8-5. Earning singles victories for the Golden Bears were Goulet (No. 2 singles), 6-0, 6-1, Mukherjee (No. 3 singles), 6-4, 7-5, and Sharma (No. 4 singles), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. When the match officially ended, Das was ahead 2-0 in the third set and O'Donnell was down a set and locked in a 5-5 draw in the second.
During its championship season, Bobby Zerwick also made some key contributions and earned some big points.
“Winning this title is huge,” Ramamurthi said. “At the beginning of the year, we didn't have as much seasoning as I would've liked. But my upperclassmen stepped in and forced the kids to believe in themselves. As the year went along, everybody pushed each other hard. I am a little sad to see my seniors go but I am very thrilled and happy that they contributed so much during the season. They always acted and played like champions.”
Sharma and Goulet still have some matches remaining for the maroon-and-gold. The Golden Bears, who were ranked sixth in the recent NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional poll, will learn who, where and when they will play on Wednesday April 28 when championship selections are announced.
“I am so happy with our team effort today,” Sharma said. “Everybody was supportive throughout the weekend. If they weren't actually on the court playing, they were in the stands cheering for us. We knew we couldn't rely on just our doubles to win this match. We had to be ready as soon as the match started. Now, that we've won the PSAC championship, regionals is next for us and we definitely want to win that again.”
--KU--
