NEWPORT, R.I. – The Regis College men's tennis team lost to Roger Williams University, 7-2, Thursday in a non-conference dual match at the International Tennis Hall of Fame Indoor Courts.
Roger Williams (1-0) took two of the three doubles sets, but Regis' number one doubles team of Nolan Bebarta (Danville, Calif.) and Johnny Pallotta (Bay Shore, N.Y.) prevented the Hawks from sweeping by winning their set, 8-7, after taking the tiebreaker 9-7.
The Hawks took the first two singles matches in straight sets to close in on the team victory, but Pallotta once again held them off, splitting the first two sets with his opponent at number three singles before taking the super-tiebreaker, 10-8. However, that just held off the inevitable, as Roger Williams clinched the overall match with a straight-set win at number five singles.
At number six singles, Evan Russell (East Wareham, Mass.) rebounded from losing the first set by winning the second set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-5). However, he could not maintain the momentum, losing the super-tiebreaker as the Hawks finished off the contest.
Regis (6-6) makes the short trip west to Worcester, Mass., to face Clark University Wednesday, March 20, starting at 3:30 p.m. The Pride will then open conference play at preseason GNAC North favorite Eastern Nazarene next Saturday, March 23, beginning at 1 p.m.