Three Newcomers Enhance 2022 Men’s Tennis Roster
After two seasons away from action due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Suffolk men’s tennis team welcomes three newcomers to Scott Blanchard’s squad for its long-awaited return to action later this month. The trio accompanies five returners from last year’s roster.
2022 SUFFOLK MEN'S TENNIS ROSTER
BOSTON – After two seasons away from action due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suffolk men's tennis team welcomes three newcomers to Scott Blanchard's squad for its long-awaited return to action later this month. The trio accompanies five returners from last year's roster.
Freshman Milind Kulkarni and sophomores Matthew Gallego and Juan Velasquez join the blue-and-gold for their first collegiate seasons, while juniors Diego Hernandez-Pons and Dylan Katz gear up for the first matches of their careers in 2022.
"The nice thing is they have stayed in tennis shape, even though they haven't played competitively in a couple years, they are shaking off a little rust, and working hard every practice," said Blanchard. "They are very enthusiastic to make a name for Suffolk tennis."
The rookies will look to boost Suffolk men's tennis into its first Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) campaign with a goal of earning playoff berth, which would mark the Rams' first postseason appearance since 2017.
The Rams season open sends Suffolk on the road as they head to Eastern Nazarene for the first match of the year Thursday, March 24. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.
MATTHEW GALLEGO | SO | 6-0 | 155 | REVERE, MASS. / ST. MARY'S
BEFORE SUFFOLK – ST. MARY'S
Letterwinner at St. Mary's .... Also lettered in soccer and captained the team for a season ... Led St. Mary's to the 2019 division championship.
MILIND KULKARNI | FR | 5-9 | 150 | FOREST HILLS, N.Y. / FOREST HILLS
BEFORE SUFFOLK – FOREST HILLS
JUAN VELASQUEZ | SO | 5-6 | 120 | BOSTON, MASS. / GULLIVER
BEFORE SUFFOLK – GULLIVER