Men’s tennis was selected first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletics Preseason Coaches’ Poll as they received six out of seven possible first place votes. They also won the first two of their first three matches of the season to get out to a 2-1 start.
The Hawks led the way with a total of 48 points in the poll and second place Quinnipiac only received 38 votes as well as the only other first place vote.
Following Quinnipiac was Fairfield who received 36 points. Marist and Siena took fourth and fifth in the coaches’ poll finishing with 29 and 22 points respectively. Niagara claimed the sixth spot as they received 15 points and rounding out the poll was Rider who received eight points.
They also brought back many key players from last season including fifth year Max Benaim, senior Will Cooke Wharton, fifth year Sergio Martinez and senior Charles Gortzounian.
Monmouth will also be adding newcomers to the squad including junior Lucca Silva, sophomore Victor Castro, freshmen Charlie Penman and Diego Laporta.
Monmouth started off their season with a victory against Fairleigh Dickinson as they won by a score of 6-1. They lost the doubles point however responded by sweeping all six of the singles matches. Cooke Wharton, Martinez, Penman, Castro, Silva as well as sophomore Gabriel Busato. Cooke Wharton and Penman earned two wins in this matchup winning both a singles and doubles match.
The Hawks also reigned victorious in their second match of the season at the Little Silver Tennis Club against Colgate as they won by a score of 6-1. Cooke Wharton and Penman both earned themselves another two wins in the Hawks victorious effort in this matchup. Other players who earned victories in this one was Castro, Martinez and Busato.
This past Sunday, the Hawks suffered their first loss against Army at West Point by a score of 4-3. The six matches of singles competition were split with three wins per school. Earning the victories for Monmouth were Cooke Wharton, Penman and Martinez. The winner was then decided in the doubles where Monmouth was swept making them fall to a 2-1 record.
Up next for the Hawks is two road matchups this upcoming weekend. First, they will head to Newark, Delaware where they will be facing the University of Delaware on Friday, Mar. 5 at noon. Then on Saturday they have a 2:00 pm contest scheduled against Bucknell.
PHOTOS COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
