Men's Tennis Opens 2017 Season with 7-2 Setback to JWU

RIVERSIDE, R.I. -- The visiting Bridgewater State University men's tennis team opened the 2017 season with a 7-2 loss to non-conference foe Johnson & Wales University on Saturday afternoon at Centre Court.

The Wildcats (2-1) swept the three doubles matches and captured four of the six singles flights to earn the victory.

In doubles play, seniors Nicholas Auffret (Holtsville, N.Y.) and Andrew Barbero (Brielle, N.J.) cruised to an 8-0 victory at number one, while juniors Ryan Schiele (Lusby, Md.) and Taylor Farmer (Carmel, Ind.) prevailed 8-1 at the second spot. The third flight tandem of junior Jack Hopkins (Hamilton, Mass.) and sophomore Tyler Dupee (Middletown, NY) completed the sweep with an 8-2 triumph.

Farmer picked up the Wildcats' first singles win with a 6-1, 6-3 straight set victory at number three. Barbero secured the win with a 6-1, 6-3 straight set win at the top flight.

Senior Chris Jastrab (Chicago, Ill.) and sophomore Harrison Ryan (Halifax, Mass.) pick up the Bears' two points in singles play. Jastrab posted a 6-1, 7-5 straight set victory at the second flight, while Ryan battled to a tough 7-6, 5-10, 10-5 win at the fifth spot. The first set was decided with a 12-10 tie-breaker, while the final two sets were played in the pro set.

JWU hits the road on Tuesday for a 3:30 match at Clark University. Bridgewater is off until next Saturday when the Bears (0-1) open Little East Conference play at Rhode Island College. Match time is slated for 1:00 PM.