BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - Junior Frenk Kote rallied for a three-set win in the tiebreaking match at sixth singles and Binghamton men's tennis (10-7, 3-2 MAC) rallied to edge first place Western Michigan (15-5, 3-1 MAC) 4-3 Friday afternoon at the Binghamton Tennis Center. 

The visiting Broncos came in riding a seven-match win streak and had won 11 of their last 12 matches, earning a national ranking along the way. It was the second head-to-head matchup between the two 2015 MAC semifinalists this spring. Three weeks ago, WMU posted a 6-1 win over Binghamton in a neutral-site match in Buffalo. With the team's third consecutive conference win, BU strengthened its chances to gain a top-four playoff spot. The Bearcats have two MAC matches remaining - at Buffalo (April 21) and home against Northern Illinois (April 23).   

"I'm so proud of the fight our guys showed today," head coach Nick Zieziula said. "We didn't play particularly well in doubles but we didn't let that affect our mindset in the singles. To rebound like that and take a couple tough three-setters shows how much we've grown over the last few weeks. This win also keeps us in the hunt for first place in the regulart season."

The nearly four-hour battle came down to the final match and Kote provided the winning margin with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 win over Daniel Loebel.

"I'm so happy for Frenk," Zieziula said. "He's been in some tough spots in his career with a match resting on his shoulders and today he came through with so much grit and fight."

After dropping the doubles point, BU won four of the six singles matches to secure the win. Junior Thomas Caputo was first off the court when he handled Ruben Greiner, 6-3, 6-4, snapping Greiner's 13-match win streak in the process. Senior Eliott Hureau lost his first set 6-0 before roaring back to win at No. 1, 0-6, 6-2, 6-2. Hureau improved to 19-9 overall, 12-4 in duals. 

But the Broncos used wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles to take a 3-2 lead with the final two singles matches underway. Freshman No. 5 Valentin Bouchet (18-8) posted a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win to even the match score at 3-3, turning all eyes to Kote's court. The third-year veteran shook off a 1-6 first set and snapped Loebel's nine-match win streak. Loebel's match-point forehand into the net set off a euphoric BU celebration on the BTC indoor courts. 

"Val and Thomas showed so much nmaturity in taking care of their courts today," Zieziula said. "They've been getting better each dual match and that's been huge for us. Eliott's performance at No. 1 was fantastic. He never put his head down once despite losing 6-0 in the first ... he just kept chipping away and fighting for each ball and it paid off for him." 

The Bearcats next play at St. Joseph's at 2 p.m. Sunday. 

Binghamton 4, Western Michigan 3
DOUBLES
1. Ludovico Cestarollo/Sid Hazarika (BU) vs. Ruben Greiner/Daniel Loebel (WMU) unfinished
2. Maik Steiner/Matt Hamilton (WMU) def. Valentin Bouchet/Eliott Hureau (BU) 6-2
3. Jefta Kecic/Jimmy Beckwith (WMU) def. Thomas Caputo/Frenk Kote (BU) 6-4

Order of Finish: 2,3

SINGLES
1. Eliott Hureau (BU) def. Jefta Kecic (WMU) 0-6, 6-3, 6-2
2. Maik Steiner (WMU) def. Sid Hazarika (BU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
3. Matt Hamilton (WMU) def. Ludovico Cestarollo (BU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
4. Thomas Caputo (BU) def. Ruben Greiner (WMU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Valentin Bouchet (BU) def. Matej Svjetlicic (WMU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Frenk Kote (BU) def. Daniel Loebel (WMU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-0

Order of Finish: 1,4,2,3,5,6