Suffolk Edges Men's Tennis

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Suffolk University men's tennis team overcame a 2-1 deficit after doubles play to defeat Wentworth Institute of Technology, 5-4, in a non-conference match played at Buckingham Browne & Nichols.

The Rams take their season open while the Leopards fall to 1-3 on the season.

After junior James Drum (Madison, Conn.) and freshman Jeff Tocco (Plymouth, Mass.) dropped an 8-2 decision at number one doubles, Wentworth won at number two and number three to take a 2-1 lead. At number two, sophomores Nate Schwartz (Chester Springs, Pa.) and James Thomas (Lakeville, Mass.) took an 8-3 decision while junior Josh Dowd (Bristol, Conn.) teamed with senior Sean Nolan (Newport, R.I.) for an 8-4 decision.

Schwartz was defeated at number two singles (6-1, 6-2) to even the match at 2-all, while Drum was defeated 6-1, 6-1 at number one, which gave Suffolk a 3-2 lead. The rams extended their lead to 4-2 when freshman Doug Avellino (Woodstock, Vt.) was defeated in three sets (6-4, 5-7, 6-3) at number six.

The Leopards made the score 4-3 when Tocco claimed a 6-1, 7-5 decision at number three, however the Rams clinched the match with a win at number four when senior Dylan Melnik (Raleigh, N.C.) was defeated 6-3, 6-0. Sophomore Zach Peter (Preston, Conn.) would claim a three-set (6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (10-8)) win at number five to round out the match.

Wentworth hosts Eastern Nazarene on Monday night.

Suffolk 5, Wentworth 4

 Singles competition
1. Calixto Romero (SUF) def. James Drum (WIT) 6-1, 6-1
2. Marc Winkler (SUF) def. Nate Schwartz (WIT) 6-1, 6-2
3. Jeff Tocco (WIT) def. Alonso Vela (SUF) 6-1, 7-5
4. Francesco Saia (SUF) def. Dylan Melnik (WIT) 6-3, 6-0
5. Zach Peter (WIT) def. Jacob Duggan (SUF) 6-1, 3-6, 1-0 (10-8)
6. Jose Gonzalez (SUF) def. Doug Avellino (WIT) 6-4, 5-7, 6-3

 Doubles competition
1. Calixto Romero/Marc Winkler (SUF) def. James Drum/Jeff Tocco (WIT) 8-2
2. Nate Schwartz/James Thomas (WIT) def. Alonso Vela/Francesco Saia (SUF) 8-3
3. Josh Dowd/Sean Nolan (WIT) def. Jacob Duggan/Anton Boubnov (SUF) 8-4

Match Notes:
Wentworth 1-3
Suffolk 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,1,6,3,4,5)
T-3:08