Men's Tennis Wins Season Opener

Cards Win Season Opener

9/12/2009

STEVENSON, Md.--Catholic University's men's tennis team defeated the Mustangs of Stevenson University this past Saturday by a count of 9-0. 

The Cards were led by Freshmen Dan Valverde (Torremar/Ecuador) and transfer Junior Bernard Nogales (Green River/Potosi Bolivia) who won the doubles 8-0.  Valverde, an architecture major from Ecuador, also won the singles by a count of 6-0, 6-0.  Nogales, a politics major from Bolivia, won the number two singles match 6-2, 6-1.

The return of Junior Mike Schinella (Fairfield prep, Fairfield, CT) from his one year hiatus aided the Cards in the victory as he and fellow Junior Mike Reaney (Fenwick/Chicago Ill.) took care of the number two doubles match coming out on top 9-8.  Reaney also won his singles match at the number six spot.  Schinella was not done for the day as he would go on and defeat his number three singles opponent convincingly 6-1, 6-0. 

Other winners for the red and black included Connor Donnelly (Long Island, NY) and Joe Gribbin (Washington, DC) who beat both their opponents in singles competitions.

The Cardinals were also able to see freshmen Rubin Tian (Langley/Great Falls, VA) get his first collegiate start in the number three doubles match with Donnelly.  The tandem came out on top with an 8-2 victory which helped seal the victory for the squad.

Coach Dowd and the Cardinals will travel to Shenandoah University and Hood College next Saturday as they will look to continue their winning ways.  The Hood match is scheduled for 10 a.m. followed by the Shenandoah match at approx. 2 p.m.