Dixon solid for Ravens in first collegiate match

RINDGE, N.H. (October 6, 2005) - The Franklin Pierce men's tennis team suffered a tough season opening loss, 4-2 to Saint Michael's College this afternoon.

Saint Michaels College set the tone as it took three out of the four singles matches and one out of two doubles matches.  John Lescure and Torr Terranova were both singles and doubles winners for the Purple Knights. Lescure posted a 6-0, 6-1 win over Franklin Piece sophomore Austin Gardella (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) while Terranova defeated Ravens freshman Joshua Sigsworth (Greenfield, Mass./Greenfield).

Franklin Pierce freshman Dixon Simmons (Narragansett, R.I./Bishop Hendricken) collected his first two collegiate wins, one as a singles member and one as a doubles member.  Simmons defeated Andy Samara (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington) (3-6, 6-1, 6-1) in his singles match, while Austin Gardella (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) and Simmons defeated Andrew Bolduc (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington ) and Samara in doubles competition.

Franklin Pierce (0-1, 0-0 NE-10) is back in action on October 13 when it hosts Merrimack College at 3:30 p.m. Saint Michael's (3-1, 1-1 NE-10) is off until the spring season.