Robert Hargraves has been named the College of Staten Island’s Male Athlete of the Month for April 2008. Hargraves is a 6-1 freshman on the Men’s Tennis team hailing from Petrides High School.
Hargraves shined at the No. 5 singles spot and lead the Dolphins with overall wins, tallying eight. In CSI’s victory over Mt. St. Vincent, Hargraves stepped up to the No. 1 singles spot where he played strong and took the victory in that spot, 6-2 and 6-1. In CSI’s loss to FDU-Florham, Hargraves took one of CSI’s only two wins in the No. 5 singles position, 6-1 and 7-5. Despite CSI’s loss to John Jay on April 14, Hargraves put in terrific play taking CSI’s only singles win with a 2-6, 7-6, 10-4 outcome.
Finishing the CUNYAC season 2-6, others thought the Dolphins were a sure out the first round of the CUNYAC playoffs. Alongside Hargraves, the CSI tennis team surprised everyone when they beat No. 2 seeded Brooklyn College in the first round of the CUNYAC Tournament Quarterfinals. Just one week before, the Dolphins were swept by Brooklyn College, 0-9. This time around the overall match was tied at 4-4 and Hargraves was the last to finish his singles. He claimed a 6-1, 6-7, 6-1 victory in one of the most exciting singles matches, lifting the Dolphins to a 5-4 win.
CSI traveled to the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center in Flushing, NY to face the No. 3 seeded Hunter College in the semi-finals on Friday, April 25. Unfortunately, the Dolphins lost 3-6, putting an end to their unexpected season. Hargraves’ determination played a solid part in the team’s success and the Dolphins will look to him for that attitude in next year’s run.
