Franklin Pierce Edges Western New England, 5-4

HAINES CITY, Fla. (March 15, 2016) - The Western New England University men's tennis team dropped a close 5-4 decision to Franklin Pierce University this afternoon at the Lake Eva Tennis Center in Haines City, Florida.

Senior Andres Otero (Caracas, Venezuela) and freshman Justin Kohut (South Windsor, Conn.) led the way for the Golden Bears with wins in both singles and doubles play. The duo teamed up for an 8-6 victory over James Bisazza/Marcus Lawrence at No. 1 doubles, while Otero posted a 6-4, 6-1 triumph over Lawrence at No. 2 singles and Kohut edged Drew Bennett, 6-4, 7-5 at No. 4 singles.

Western New England's other point came courtesy of freshman Michael Tran (West Haven, Conn.), who came from behind to post a 4-6, 6-4 (10-6) win over Logan Sherwood at No. 6 singles.

Franklin Pierce, an NCAA Division II program, claimed two of the three doubles matches, as Andrew Schadt/Bennett defeated seniors Alexander Sause (Cusago, Italy) and Adam Zimmerman (South Windsor, Conn.) 8-1 at No. 2, and Olivier Viel/Sherwood topped senior Chris Spear (Windsor, Conn.) and sophomore Nick Raschilla (East Longmeadow, Mass.) 8-4 at No. 3.

The Ravens and Golden Bears split the six singles matches, with James Bisazza posting a 6-2, 7-5 win over Sause at No. 1, Schadt defeating Spear 6-2, 7-5 at No. 3, and Olivier Viel claiming a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 triumph over Raschilla at No. 5.

Western New England (2-1) will be right back in action tomorrow at noon with a match against Saint Ambrose (Iowa) at Red Bug Lake Park in Casselberry, Fla.

Franklin Pierce 5, Western New England 4

Singles competition

1. James Bisazza (FPU) def. Alexander Sause (WNE-M) 6-2, 7-5

2. Andres Otero (WNE-M) def. Marcus Lawrence (FPU) 6-4, 6-1

3. Andrew Schadt (FPU) def. Chris Spear (WNE-M) 6-2, 7-5

4. Justin Kohut (WNE-M) def. Drew Bennett (FPU) 6-4, 7-5

5. Olivier Viel (FPU) def. Nick Raschilla (WNE-M) 7-6 (7-2), 6-2

6. Michael Tran (WNE-M) def. Logan Sherwood (FPU) 4-6, 6-4, 10-6

Doubles competition

1. Andres Otero/Justin Kohut (WNE-M) def. James Bisazza/Marcus Lawrence (FPU) 8-6

2. Andrew Schadt/Drew Bennett (FPU) def. Alexander Sause/Adam Zimmerman (WNE-M) 8-1

3. Olivier Viel/Logan Sherwood (FPU) def. Nick Raschilla/Chris Spear (WNE-M) 8-4

Match Notes