This past weekend the men’s tennis team lost in their first two matches of the season against Southern New Hampshire on Saturday, Sept. 15, and St. Anselm on Sunday, Sept. 16. After having lost five starters last year, the team is going through a transition stage. With three returning players this year, and being led by new head coach Mark Dolan, the team is taking this two matches as a learning experience, swiftly moving forward to the next weekend.

On Saturday, the team fell 0-9 to a tough team, Southern New Hampshire. At first doubles, returning juniors Yaro Nieves and Daryl Johnson teamed up, losing in their first doubles match together 1-8. Returning sophomore Shane Evans and graduate student Mike Green encountered a loss at second doubles 3-8 and new players freshman Blaine Drake and senior Robert Brooks lost at third doubles as well.

Going into singles play, the ‘Phins were down 0-3. Evans stepped up at first singles, losing 1-6, 0-6. At second singles, Johnson lost as well 1-6, 0-6. At third singles, Nieves played a close three setter, ultimately losing in the third set tiebreaker 6-10. Sophomore John Gerstner lost at fifth singles, with Drake losing at sixth singles.

On Sunday the men faced St. Anselm, where they fell to another tough loss 1-8. In doubles play, Johnson and Nieves teamed up again at first, ultimately losing 3-8. Second and third doubles fell in a similar fashion. The Dolphins entered singles play for the second time over the weekend 0-3.

Evans played again at first singles, losing 2-6, 4-6, with Nieves losing as second singles 2-6, 1-6. Johnson stepped up to the plate at third singles, winning the team’s sole point 6-3, 6-3. Green, Brooks and Drake lost their singles matches at fourth, fifth and sixth respectfully.

The ‘Phins enter into the NE-10 season with a 0-2 record. The team is still continuing to grow and work together, using the next two weeks to prepare for their first home match of the season on Thursday, Sept. 27 against Bentley at 3 p.m.