PREVIEW: Men’s Tennis Set for NCAA East Regional Action
FLUSHING, N.Y. (May 7, 2021) -- The Franklin Pierce University men's tennis team is headed into NCAA Championship play for the third time in program history, and the first time since 2003. The Ravens will officially return to the dance on Saturday, May 8, when they take to the court as the fourth seed in the NCAA Championship East Regional, hosted by Queens (N.Y.) College. Franklin Pierce's first-round opponent is the top-seeded Clippers of Concordia (N.Y.).
NCAA Championship East Regional
Hosted by Queens (N.Y.) College
Queens College Athletic Complex
Flushing, N.Y.
May 8-9
(Seeds in parentheses)
Saturday, May 8
Match 1: (3) Le Moyne at (2) Queens (N.Y.) -- 1 p.m.
Match 2: (1) Concordia (N.Y.) vs. (4) Franklin Pierce -- 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 9
Match 3: Match 1 Winner vs. Match 2 Winner - 1 p.m.
Winner claims East Region title.
Scouting the Ravens
The fourth-seeded Ravens head into the East Regional on the heels of an appearance in the Northeast-10 Conference title match, which the program appeared in for the first time since 2005. Franklin Pierce was edged out by Le Moyne, 4-1. The Ravens are led by the NE10 Rookie of the Year, graduate student Kevin Denecheau (Artigueloutan, France), who boasts a 7-2 record at second singles, as well as a 7-2 record at second doubles, alongside freshman Ivan Bernal (Madrid, Spain). Bernal at third singles and sophomore Joel Cladera (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) at fourth singles both earned All-NE10 First Team honors, as did the third doubles team of seniors Yuval Barak (Zicron Ya'akov, Israel) and Nkrumah Patrick (Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago).
Scouting the Clippers
Top seed Concordia carries a 12-0 record as champion of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, a title it captured for the third straight year. The Clippers are the two-time defending East Region champions and will be making their 23rd all-time NCAA Championship appearance. Head coach Neil Tarangioli was the CACC Coach of the Year, and Concordia put four players on the All-CACC First Team.
Scouting the Knights
Second seed and host Queens is the other heavyweight in the East Region bracket. The Knights check in at 8-6, though all of their losses were to either Concordia, or to Division I competition. Queens went undefeated in the league en route to its fourth straight East Coast Conference title and is making its 18th appearance in the national tournament.
Scouting the Dolphins
Third-seeded Le Moyne defeated Franklin Pierce in the title match of the NE10 Championship and heads into the NCAA Championship with a 10-0 record. The Dolphins are making just their second all-time appearance in the national tournament, with the first coming in 2018. Senior Jared Howard was the NE10 Player of the Year, while head coach Jeff Lonczak took Coach of the Year accolades. Le Moyne put two singles players and a doubles squad on the All-NE10 First Team.
Spectator Information
Spectators will NOT be permitted at the East Regional. A live stream of all matches will be available via the Queens College Athletics website: https://queensknights.com/sports/2019/1/5/qcsn.aspx
Next Up
Saturday's winners will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday, with the East Regional title on the line. The winner of the East Regional will advance to join the winners from each of seven other regions at the NCAA Championship finals. The finals are set for May 18-20 in Surprise, Ariz.