WESTON, Mass. – The three members of the Regis College men's tennis team who recently graduated as part of the Class of 2021 played a significant role as the squad transitioned into the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, reaching the championship match of the GNAC Tournament in 2018.
Matt DaRosso (Yonkers, N.Y.) collected 12 victories combined in singles and doubles during his collegiate career. As a sophomore in the 2018-19 campaign, he went 6-2 in doubles, including a five-match doubles winning streak to close out the season. DaRosso provided veteran leadership to the team in the fall 2019 portion of the schedule while other upperclassmen undertook a semester abroad. He won his final two singles matches of the Florida trip in March 2020, both in a third-set super-tiebreaker. He has been recognized for his academic performance by both the GNAC and ITA, graduating with his bachelor's degree in global business management.
"Matt has an infectious personality and was an absolutely electric hypeman for all his teammates throughout his four years," head coach Andy White said. "As an upperclassman, he led the younger members of the team with a considerable amount of grace and respect."
Johnny Pallotta (Bay Shore, N.Y.) finished his collegiate playing career with 16 singles victories and 17 doubles wins, teaming with Nolan Bebarta to be the third-winningest doubles team in program history with 16 career victories. In his freshman season, Pallotta received GNAC Player and Rookie of the Week honors April 30, 2018, as the team defeated Johnson and Wales in the GNAC Tournament semifinals. As a sophomore, he led the team with 10 singles victories, plus he earned eight doubles wins in 2018-19. Pallotta won his final five singles matches of the fall season and the last three singles contests of the spring schedule. During the team's Florida trip in March 2020, he earned victories in both singles and doubles as the Pride defeated King's College. Pallotta graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing and communications.
"Johnny had a passion on and off the court that was second to none. He has developed into a special tennis player, and I am looking forward to seeing him blossom into one of the bright young minds in the game of tennis," said White.
Mitchell Weiner (Plano, Texas) has picked up 10 victories each in singles and doubles so far at Regis College, as he will take advantage of his extended eligibility and return to the Pride next year. As a freshman, he went 3-1 in singles and a perfect 6-0 teaming with Tim Miller in doubles, capped by an 8-0 result over Johnson and Wales in the GNAC Tournament semifinals. He collected six singles wins during the 2018-19 season, starting a season-ending four-match winning streak with a comeback three-set victory over Colby-Sawyer to clinch the team's 5-4 victory over the Chargers. Weiner has also made a significant impact away from the tennis court, serving as a student representative on the Board of Trustees and receiving the Leadership in Athletics Award from the Division of Student Affairs. He received his bachelor's degree in sport management and will be pursuing a master's degree in 2021-22.
"Mitchell is one of the most respectful young men I have ever had the pleasure of being around as a player or coach, and I don't think I can properly express how grateful and thankful I am that he will be returning next year to continue as a valuable pillar in our program," added White.
Men's tennis is one of 20 intercollegiate programs sponsored by Regis College within NCAA Division III and the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.