WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Catholic University men's tennis team opened the 2024 fall season with two victories at home. The Cardinals took down Stevenson, 6-1, in the morning before gaining another win against Penn State Harrisburg, 4-3 in the afternoon.

MATCH 1 - Catholic 6, Stevenson 1

The Cardinals started the day by sweeping all three doubles matches to earn the first point of the contest. Lorenzo Neri and Diego Romo paired up at the number one spot and fought through a tight set to force a tiebreak. They finished the job with a 7-6 victory. 

At number two doubles, Nathaniel Barish and Leyton Ramos-Platt came out firing and jumped out to an early 4-1 lead. Their opponent made a late push, but the duo fought off the comeback to earn a 6-4 victory. Ben Perks and Drew Andrianopoulos dominated their match at number three doubles, winning easily 6-1. 

In singles play, Paulo Emanuelli earned his first college victory with a win at the number six spot. His set scores of 6-3, 6-1 mirrored Romo's who play at the number two spot. With these two singles matches completed, the Cardinals extended their lead to three.

Andrianopolus continued his day with a competitive contest at number four singles. He was able to stay one step ahead of his opponent throughout to clinch the match for Catholic with set scores of 6-3, 6-4. 

Neri added another point for the Cardinals with his first collegiate win. Playing at the top spot, the freshman saw back-and-forth action that led to a third-set tiebreak. He stayed collected down the stretch and ultimately prevailed 10-6. 

MATCH 2 - Catholic 4, Penn State Harrisburg 3

Henry Ogden and Emanuelli secured the only doubles victory for the Cardinals. The number three pairing gave Catholic an early advantage with a 6-1 win, but Penn State Harrisburg bounced back with wins at number one and two doubles to earn the opening point. 

Perks, Ogden, Andrianopolos, Ramos-Platt and Barish each picked up victories in their singles matches. 

Barish picked up the first point for the Cardinals at the number six spot, taking care of his opponent 6-3, 6-3. The Nitty Lions won the next two matches to increase their lead to two, but Catholic regained the lead with the final three singles matches to secure the contest. 

Ogden fired off set scores of 6-2, 6-3 while Andrianopolos won 6-3, 6-1. Ramos-Platt wrapped things up with a hard-fought battle. After dropping the first set, he came back in the second to force a tiebreak. 

Catholic has a quick turnaround as they travel to Shephard tomorrow for a 2 p.m. match.