tennis1
Shawn Gooden
4
Winner MORGAN STATE MSUM (1-0)
3
Saint Francis SFU (0-2)
Winner
MORGAN STATE MSUM
(1-0)
4
Final
3
Saint Francis SFU
(0-2)

Match Recap: Men's Tennis | | MSU Athletics Communications

Men’s Tennis Opens 2021 Season in the Victory Column

ALTOONA, Pa. (February 7, 2021) -- The Morgan State men's tennis team opened the 2021 season with a hard fought 4-3 win over the Saint Francis Red Flash at Gorilla House Gym in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Sunday. 
 
The Bears (1-0) trailed 1-0 during the early going as SFU (0-2) captured the doubles point. Samuel Ghigiarelli and Jordi Garcia recorded a 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles over MSU newcomers Rhajzon Rankins and Martial Kawunde. The tandem of Sebastian Pinos and Andrew Texeira finished with a 6-3 decision over veteran standouts Nihit Rawal and Serhii Kharchev to clinch the point at No. 1 doubles. 
 
In singles, Rawal got the Bears the first point of the day by winning at No. 1 with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Sebastian Pinos. Senior Oguzhan Ceylan then put the Bears up 2-0 with a strong performance at No. 3  by defeating Jordi Garcia 6-2, 6-2.

Kharchev battled to a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles against Texeira to give the Bears a 3-1 lead and clinch the victory for the Bears.
 
"It's been a long time coming, but we are excited to get back to competing," said MSU coach Matt Townes. 

"Our seniors stepped up in a big way today. They showed the experience needed to overcome adversity and got the W even after dropping the doubles point. Great day to be a Bear." 

The Red Flash took the last two matches as senior Sebastian Lopez  gave it all he could before falling to Christian Banti 6-2, 7-6 (4). Kawunde fell to Matt Blose 6-4, 6-4.

"We are more excited about getting back to work and improving for our next match," added Townes. 

Morgan State will return to action in a couple weeks at VCU (Feb. 18) and William & Mary (Feb. 27).

Match Notes:
Doubles: 3,1,2
Singles: 1,3,2,5,6
 
 
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