Men's Tennis Returns To Action Sunday

Wildcats host Le Moyne in home opener

10/8/2021 2:45:00 PM

Match #2
Daemen Wildcats (0-1, 0-0 ECC) vs. Le Moyne Dolphins (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 10
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Williamsville, N.Y. | Williamsville South High School Courts

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1. BACK IN ACTION
The Daemen men's tennis team opens the home portion of their 2021-22 season Sunday when they play host to regional rival Le Moyne out of the Northeast-10 Conference. The Dolphins have been one of the top teams in the East Region in recent years, and are coming off a run to the second round of the NCAA tournament last spring. Sunday's match is Daemen's first since dropping a 6-3 decision to RIT in their season opening Sept. 15. The Wildcats also sent four team members to compete in the ITA East Region Championship held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from Sept. 17-20.

2. BACK IN THE FOLD
The Wildcats welcome six players back to the roster this season, including junior Ben Davis who made an immediate impact in his first season with the program after transferring from Roberts Wesleyan. Davis posted 5-5 records in both singles and doubles play, appearing exlusively in the No. 1 position in the Wildcats' lineup for each. He became just the third player in team history to earn All-ECC recognition. Also back is graduate student Jose Williamson III who will exercise a fifth season of eligibility granted to student-athletes because of the disruptions brought about by COVID-19. Williamson III holds 47 combined singles/doubles wins in his career, ranking seventh in program history. Junior Phillip Vance and sophomores Sam Greco and Ross Belen, all key contributors last season, also return.

3. FRESH FACES
The Wildcats welcome several newcomers to the program, including head coach Richard Greco, Jr. who was appointed to the position earlier this summer. He'll have a pair of transfers to work with as juniors Luis de Vuyst and Zachary Laplante bring prior collegiate playing experience. The program's first-ever player from Belgium, de Vuyst appeared in 20 matches over two seasons at Coker College (S.C.). LaPlante is closer to his home (Ottawa, Canada) after beginning his career at Salem University (W.Va.) where he helped the Tigers to a 10-5 overal record in two seasons. Jayven Williamson, the younger brother of Jose, is also in the mix as the team's lone freshman.

4. WILLIAMSON WINS AT ITA
Senior Jose Williamson III was the lone Wildcat to pick up a victory at the ITA East Region Championship. Williamson III took down Adelphi's Luke Attride-Stirling in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) in the opening round of the singles draw.

5. ON THE HORIZON
The Wildcats conclude their brief fall season by visiting Division I Niagara on Sunday, Oct. 24.

LE MOYNE DOLPHINS SCOUTING REPORT
Le Moyne returns eight players from their 2020-21 team that went 11-1 overall and 8-0 in Northeast-10 Conference play. The Dolphins are the defending NE-10 champions as they defeated Franklin Pierce in the conference championship match before advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Their win over Queens in the opening round was the program's first-ever NCAA tournament victory. Head coach Jeff Lonczak has recorded a 58-40 record through his first six seasons with the program. The team's only action so far this season was at the ITA East Region Championships where fifth-year senior Tom Jarry won the singles competition after entering as the No. 6 seed. The Dolphins posted a combined 18-5 record in singles and doubles play at the tournament. They'll face Niagara (weather permitting) in their season opener Saturday.

ALL-TIME SERIES: DAEMEN VS. LE MOYNE
Series Record: Le Moyne leads 7-0
At Daemen: Le Moyne leads 3-0
Current Streak: Le Moyne won 7
Last Meeting: Le Moyne 7, Daemen 0 | Feb. 23, 2019 | at Dewitt, N.Y.

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