Men’s Tennis Starts Season at Gordon Friday

SUFFOLK at GORDON
Date Time Venue Video Series Last Meeting Last Suffolk Win Streak	March 23, 2023 3:00 PM Brigham Athletic Complex  Wenham, Mass. Gordon.edu 4-4 (Since 2003) April 16, 2022, L, 7-2 March 29, 2007, W, 6-3 L3

BOSTON – After having its original season debut postponed due to inclement weather, Suffolk men's tennis makes the trip to Wenham, Massachusetts this afternoon to not only start its 2023 campaign, but its Commonwealth Coast Conference calendar as it takes on Gordon at the Brigham Athletic Complex at 3:30 p.m.  

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

RAPID REWIND
Suffolk had its first full season after a two-year hiatus a year ago. The campaign, in which the Rams went 1-10 overall, was the program's first in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). 

RAMS ROSTER
Suffolk's roster is comprised of eight individuals for the second straight season, including three returners and five newcomers.  

RAMS RINGLEADER
On the eve of Suffolk men's tennis season opener, head coach Scott Blanchard has unveiled that Hasan Esrawi returns to his post as the Rams captain. 

MORE READING: Hasan Returns as Men's Tennis Captain 

AT THE HELM
After serving as under the interim title a year ago, Scott Blanchard was named the head coach of the men's tennis program in the fall of 2022. Blanchard brought Drew Goldstein, the Rams' women's head coach, on staff as the men's assistant. 

FIRST SERVE

• Suffolk sits 5-7 in the first match of the season since 2009. 
• The Rams will look to reenter the win column on opening day after dropping the last five season debuts. 
• The last campaign-opening victory came on March 26, 2015 when the Rams got by cross-town rival Wentworth, 5-4. 

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Suffolk men's tennis has been projected to finish eighth in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Preseason Poll after a vote by the league's nine head coaches.

MORE READING: Men's Tennis Slotted Eighth in CCC Preseason Poll

FIGHTING SCOTS FACTS
Gordon brings a 5-4 overall record into Friday's conference contest and looks to snap a two-match skid that features setbacks to Clark (5-4) and Assumption (9-0).  

Ezekiel Hall has played all, but two matches as the Fighting Scots ace and he sits 5-1 on the year. Jeffrey Bodner has also been a reliable singles player with a 6-2 mark over courts one and two. 

In doubles, Bodner and Carleton Riester have proven to be the most successful with a 5-1 record split between the top court (1-0) and second spot (4-1). 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk sits 4-4 against Gordon since 2003. 
• The Rams have fallen in three straight matches with the Fighting Scots including back-to-back 7-2 decisions. 
• The blue-and-gold is in the hunt for its first win over Gordon since a 6-3 triumph March 29, 2007.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk is scheduled to head to Salve Regina Wednesday, March 29 for a 3:30 p.m. CCC clash.