WORCESTER, Mass. (September 10, 2021) – The Franklin Pierce University men's tennis team opened its season with a 5-2 triumph over Holy Cross on Friday afternoon at the Sinnott Family Tennis Facility in a non-conference matchup.

The Crusaders won early, notching the point in doubles competition. No. 2 finished first as duo Declan O'Flynn and Matt Maggiacomo of Holy Cross defeated Felipe Carvalho (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Preston Gordon (Essex Junction, Vt.), 6-3. Courts No. 1 and No. 3 both went into tiebreakers, as Holy Cross was able to capitalize on each. The duo of Connor Nelson and Jeremy Clark for Holy Cross defeated Josh Arnold (Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago) and Paul McLellan (Nairobi, Kenya), 7-6 (7-0) at No. 3, before partners Will Chen and Alexander Ruenhorst clinched the point defeating Nkrumah Patrick (Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago) and Alejandro Ortiz (Madrid, Spain) 7-6 (11-9).

The Ravens managed to bounce back in singles competition. Collecting five straight points. On No. 3, Kevin Denecheau (Artigueloutan, France) defeated Ruenhorst, 6-2, 6-2, followed by Ivan Bernal (Madrid, Spain) defeating O'Flynn, 6-3, 6-2 on No. 4. Patrick defeated Clark of Holy Cross 6-1, 7-5 on No. 5 and Gordon defeated his opponent Nelson 7-5, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. Ortiz secured the win for the Ravens after defeating Holy Cross' Maggiacomo 7-6, 6-0 on No. 6.

Carvalho and Chen of Holy Cross battled on No. 1, but ultimately Chen grabbed the second point for the Crusaders with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) win.

Franklin Pierce will travel to Flushing, N.Y. for the ITA East Region Championships on Friday, September 17 through Monday, September 20 at the USTA National Tennis Center. Times and opponents will be announced at a later date.