M. Tennis competes in Bryant Invitational

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Led by the reigning Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, the Bryant University men's tennis team opened up the fall season with a strong showing over the weekend, posting excellent results at the Bryant Invitationals hosted on campus.

Sophomore Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) led the pack of eight players, along with senior captain Daniel Cournoyer (Jefferson, Mass.) and graduate student captain Peter Hart Callahan (Malvern, Pa.).  Along with several new faces to the young team, the group strung together several quality matches in the round-robin tournament.  Although no offical team score was kept during the weekend, the Bulldogs led all teams with 14-of-20 points.

"We looked solid considering five of our players were playing a college match for the first time today," head coach Ron Gendron said afterward.  "I was very happy with the way our guys looked."

Including Parziale, six underclassmen suited up for the Black and Gold over the weekend, including five freshmen.  Rookies Zachary Morris (Garden City, N.Y.), Richard Sipala (Quogue, N.Y.), Juan Gonzalez-Paz (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Ernesto Arguello (Managua, Nicaragua) and Robert-Paul Weese (Aurora, Ontario) all made their Bryant debut, holding their own despite the lack of experience.

"It was great to see our younger guys get some action," head coach Ron Gendron said.  "We will have a difficult test next weekend at the Brown Invitational."

The Bulldogs will make the short trip to Providence, where they will participate in the Brown Invitational from Sept. 16 to Sept. 18.  

For continuing coverage of Bryant men's tennis, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com.