Parziale, Arguello make history at ITAs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team closed out a spectacular showing at the ITA Northeast Regional Invitational in New Haven, Conn., over the weekend, making program history in the process.

The terrific tandem of senior captain Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) and junior captain Ernesto Arguello (Managua, Nicaragua) advanced all the way to the third round of play at the main doubles draw, before falling just short of a trip to the round of 16 Sunday morning.

The duo got things started with a big opening round win over Army's Kyle Barnes and Austin McCasin, 8-4, on Friday. Advancing to the round of 64, the Bryant captains were faced with another tall test, but took care of business, making quick work of Alban/Artusson of NJIT, 8-2 on Saturday.

In the round of 32, the magical run for Parziale and Arguello was halted by the very strong pairing of Lin/Alda of Columbia, as Bryant fell, 8-3, Sunday morning.

In the main singles draw, Parziale (17-32) was granted a bye to the round of 64 based on his high regional seeding. In the second round, the senior proved why he earned the first-round bye, taking care of Cornell's Dylan Brown in straight-sets, 6-5, 6-4, advancing to the round of 32.

In the third round, Parziale ran into regionally seeded Brian Yeung (9-16), dropping a tough decision in three sets, 6-3, 5-6, 6-2.

Despite a pair of third-round losses, the Bulldogs set new program records, not only winning their first-ever matches at the ITA Regionals, but advancing all the way to the Round of 32 in both the Main Singles and Main Doubles draws.

"After four terrific days of competing against the best in the Northeast, we are looking forward to a brief break before returning to action at Harvard for the Halloween Invite the first weekend in November," said Bryant head coach Ron Gendron.

The Bulldogs will close out their historical fall season at the Harvard Halloween Invitational (Nov. 1-3) before breaking for the winter. Bryant kicks of its championship season on January 18 with a pair of matches in Hanover, N.H.

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