Bulldogs knock off FDU, 5-2, Sunday in NEC opener

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team took down Fairleigh Dickinson, 5-2, in its Northeast Conference opener Sunday afternoon in Teaneck, N.J.

After a tough start to the spring season, the Bulldogs (4-9, 1-0 Northeast Conference) seem to be hitting their stride at the right time with a big win over the perennial title contending Knights (6-8, 2-1 NEC).

Doubles action included a trio of one-point matches with the Black and Gold on the winning side of two of the three thanks to a pair of gritty wins from Zachary Morris (Garden City, N.Y.) and Ernesto Arguello (Managua, Niacragua) at No. 2 doubles and Luke Lorenz (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Oliver Welsh (San Diego, Calif.) at the No. 3 spot.

In singles, Bryant freshman phenom Matt Kuhar (Smithfield, R.I.) picked up arguably the most impressive win on the day knocking off three-time NEC Player of the Year Arvis Berzins, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3, to improve to 7-5 overall in the top singles spot.

Morris and Lorenz completed strong 2-0 days with wins over Jacob Whalley, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, and Adam Chan, 6-4, 6-2, at No. 2 and 3 singles, respectively. Junior Max Vogt (Fair Oaks, Calif.) rounded out the 5-2 victory with a win over Diogo Garnel, 6-3, 7-5, at No. 5 singles to improve to 11-11 overall on the year.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs play just five matches before the NEC Championships begin on April 17 beginning with a battle vs. UConn, Wednesday afternoon (3 p.m.) in Smithfield.