Penmen sweep doubles matches, then take four of six in singles

MANCHESTER, N.H. (March 25, 2006) - Southern New Hampshire University swept all three doubles matches en route to posting a 7-2 victory over Franklin Pierce in Northeast-10 Conference men's tennis action this afternoon.

The dual match evenly played as it featured four tiebreakers and three singles matches were decided in three sets. Junior Pedro DePaula (Rolandia, Brazil) led SNHU's double winners as he collected a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 victory over Franklin Pierce senior Arun Lazarus (Bradenton, Fla./Bayshore) at No. 1 singles. DePaula also teamed with freshman Luis Ramirez (San Cristobal, Venezuela) for an 8-4 win at first doubles. Senior Brian Hashem (Auburn, N.H./Pinkerton Academy), post grad Chris Bui (Kraainem, Belgium) and freshman Pavel Braude (West Yarmouth, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth) were also double-winners for the Penmen.

Sophomore Austin Gardella (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) and freshman Dixon Simmons (Narragansett, R.I./Bishop Hendricken) collected points for the Ravens. Gardella registered a 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles, while Simmons posted a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 triumph at second singles.

Franklin Pierce (1-2, 1-2 NE-10) travels to Pace University tomorrow for a match at 2 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (2-3, 1-3 NE-10) is back in action on Tuesday when it visits Saint Michael's College at 3 p.m.