MEN'S TENNIS OPENS SEASON THIS WEEKEND WITH PACE
Bulldogs Return Five Letterwinners From Last Year's Squad

SMITHFIELD, RI -- The Bryant University men's tennis team will open its 2006 spring season this Friday afternoon when the Bulldogs take on Pace University in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup at East Hartford, Conn.  The match is slated to start at 11:30 am. 

The Bulldogs, under the direction of coach Larry Sack, will look to replace No. 1 singles player Erik Zipp who graduated last spring after compiling a 15-4 overall record.  In his place, watch for junior Ben Caisse (Griswold, Conn.) to move up to the No. 1 position. Caisse was 8-10 overall last season and 5-4 at No. 2 singles in conference play. 

Junior Zach Goodman (Amherst, Mass.), freshman Craig Drushella (Harwich, Mass.), sophomore Sean Authier (North Smithfield, RI), and sophomore Mike Pickowicz (Bedford, NH/ West) all return with excellent experience.  Drushella turned in a solid freshman campaign, going 8-2 in conference matches between No. 4 and No. 5 singles play and was 10-9 overall. 

Junior Jamie Carlin and Al Duro return looking to crack the lineup and watch for newcomers Robbie Beckwith (Clinton, Conn.) and Kevin Levinson (Pawcatuck, Conn.) should play key roles in 2006 as well.