WALTHAM, Mass. (2/11/23) – The spring season officially got underway for Franklin Pierce men's tennis on Saturday afternoon, as they clashed with Division III's 27^th-ranked Brandeis University. Despite keeping the action close at a few individual matchups, the Ravens ultimately fell to the Judges in sweeping fashion by a score of 9-0.

Picking up from their fall record, the Ravens open the spring 0-1 and move to 3-2 overall on the year. Brandeis moves to 2-0 on the season with the win.

It was a slow start in doubles for Pierce, as the Ravens were unable to secure a point entering singles competition. At both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, the Ravens were able to state their case against the judges with mimicking 8-5 losses, rallying behind the strong efforts of No.1 pairing Joshua Arnold (Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago) and Preston Gordon (Essex Junction, Vt.) and No. 2 Nkrumah Patrick (Tunapuna, Trinidad & Tobago) and Paul McClellan (Nairobi, Kenya).

Now trailing 3-0 entering singles, matters only got worse for Pierce as they then fell in straight sets four-of-six singles matches. However, the two non-sweeping losses came from first and third singles, where seniors Joshua Gordon and Nkrumah Patrick were each able to secure the Ravens' only set victories of the afternoon, each by scores of 6-2. However, despite the battles, Brandeis was able to claim the wins in both matchups through three sets.

Men's Tennis will have a quick turnaround this weekend, as they will look to bounce back tomorrow afternoon at Merrimack College (2-4) at Noon.