Back-to-back NEC Champs release 2015-16 schedule

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The two-time defending Northeast Conference Champion Bryant University men's tennis team is set to announce its 2015-16 regular season schedule.

Spanning seven months and featuring 34 unique dates, the Bulldogs 2015-16 campaign is sure to be one for the ages. Never one to shy away from top competition, three-time reigning NEC Coach of the Year Ron Gendron has assembled a schedule that features matches vs. four 2015 NCAA Tournament Teams.

"We feel we put together another very aggressive schedule in hopes to have a breakout year," said Gendron. "Last year, we saw glimpses of our potential with the emergence of Matt Kuhar as a formidable front line player.

"The addition of three standout freshman will help fill the huge void left by graduating seniors Zach Morris, Ernesto Arguello, and Josh Rubinstein, and may finally help elevate us to the next level."

Bryant kicks things off at the UConn Invitational in Storrs, Conn., from Sept. 25-27 before hosting Marist in the Bryant-Marist Shootout in Smithfield from Oct. 2-4. After a two-week break, the Bulldogs return to action for the ITA Regionals in New Haven, Conn., kicking off on Thursday, Oct. 22 before wrapping up the fall season with the Bryant-Boston U. Shootout in Smithfield (Oct. 31 – Nov. 1).

The Black and Gold open their spring slate at Dartmouth on Saturday, Jan. 16 before heading to Turning Stone Casino for their annual clash with Marist, UConn, and Binghamton (Jan. 23-25). The road doesn't get any easier going forward with a Feb. 7 doubleheader in Raleigh, N.C., vs. South Carolina and North Carolina St. before returning to Turning Stone for matches vs. Buffalo (Feb. 13) and Duquesne (Feb. 14). The following week, the Bulldogs return to New England to battle MIT (Feb. 20) and Brown (Feb. 22), closing the month at Harvard on Sunday, Feb. 28.

Bryant kicks off March with its Spring Break trip, this year in La Jolla, Calif., before opening NEC play at home vs. rival Fairleigh Dickinson on March 26. Staying in Smithfield for two more matches vs. BU (April 2) and Quinnipiac (April 3) to open up April, the Bulldogs head south the following weekend for contests at Georgetown (April 9) and UMBC (April 10). The Black and Gold return to the Ocean State to battle Hartford on April 13 before closing out their home slate vs. Sacred Heart on April 16. Bryant wraps up regular season action at Wagner on Sunday, April 17.

The 2016 NEC Championships will be held at the Mercer County Tennis Center in West Windsor, N.J., from Friday, April 22 – Sunday, April 24.