Bulldogs earn #1 seed for NEC Championships

BRYANT EARNS #1 OVERALL SEED FOR NEC CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGINNING THURSDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Coming off an unrivaled 6-0 record in Northeast Conference play this season, the Bryant University men's tennis team will head into the NEC Championships over the weekend as the Number 1 overall seed in its first season of Division eligibility.

The Bulldogs put together one their finest seasons in program history, finishing the 2012-13 regular season with a perfect 6-0 record against NEC opponents. The 2013 NEC Tennis Championships will begin on Thursday and commence on Sunday with the championship game. Bryant's terrific regular season performance earned the Bulldogs a first-round bye to the Quarterfinals on Friday against the winner of #8 Saint Francis U. and #9 St. Francis Brooklyn on Thursday.

In addition to the Bulldog's successes as a team this season, many individuals have put together terrific seasons over the past few months. Sophomore Zachary Morris (Garden City, N.Y.) posted a 10-9 overall mark in singles play (3-1 in NEC) and an impressive 16-10 record in doubles (4-0 in NEC). Morris's fantastic sophomore campaign earned him a pair of NEC Player of the Week honors on March 21 and April 2. Junior Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) proved himself as the backbone of the Bulldogs this year, posting a perfect 10-0 record against NEC opponents (5-0 in singles, 5-0 in doubles) en route to a pair of his own NEC Player of the Week awards. Freshman Max Vogt (Fair Oaks, Calif.) racked up his fair share of NEC weekly honors as well, collecting the NEC Player/Rookie of the Month for October and two-straight Rookie of the Week awards in March.

"Five years has been a long time to wait," said head coach Ron Gendron. "But we are very excited that we finally have an opportunity to compete for an NEC title."

The Bulldogs have just one non-conference match remaining against Brandeis on Wednesday before beginning NEC Championship play on Friday.

For the full 2013 Northeast Conference Tennis Championship Bracket click HERE.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University men's tennis team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.