Ewing, NJ…Sophomore Billy Buchbinder (Scotch Plains, NJ/Wardlaw-Hartridge) netted the deciding victory as The College of New Jersey men's tennis team won its fifth straight match with an exciting 5-4 win over visiting Christopher Newport University on Saturday.
 
The teams were tied at 4-4 heading into the sixth singles match, but Buchbinder outlasted his opponent with a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) victory to clinch the win.
 
That win helped the Lions push their growing winning streak to five straight as they are 5-2 on the season.
 
The Captains dropped to 9-5 on the season.
 
Adding wins in singles were senior Howard Telson (Edison, NJ/J.P. Stevens) and sophomore Pierce Cooper (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) in the top two positions. Telson battled for a 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), and 7-5 win in the first spot, while Cooper won 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in the second.
 
That duo also picked up an 8-4 win in first doubles, while the second pairing of freshman Mike Stanley (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) and Buchbinder won 8-5.
 
The Lions look to make it six straight wins tomorrow, March 30 when then host the University of Rochester at 1 p.m.
 
The College of New Jersey 5, Christopher Newport University 4
Singles competition
1. Howard Telson (TCNJ) def. Sam Thomson (CNU) 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
2. Pierce Cooper (TCNJ) def. Steven Boslet (CNU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
3. Chiraag Shetty (CNU) def. Dan Presuto (TCNJ) 6-3, 6-2
4. Joona Rahko (CNU) def. Gabe Allen (TCNJ) 6-0, 6-0
5. Arttu Fiva (CNU) def. Mike Stanley (TCNJ) 6-2, 6-2
6. Billy Buchbinder (TCNJ) def. Michael Dodd (CNU) 6-3, 7-6 (8-6)
Doubles competition
1. Howard Telson/Pierce Cooper (TCNJ) def. Steven Boslet/Sam Thomson (CNU) 8-4
2. Mike Stanley/Billy Buchbinder (TCNJ) def. Chiraag Shetty/Joona Rahko (CNU) 8-5
3. Michael Dodd/Arttu Fiva (CNU) def. Gabe Allen/Andrew Grossman (TCNJ) 8-5