Men's Tennis Improves to 4-0 with Victory Over Marist

The NJIT men's tennis team continued its hot start to the 2023 season with a 6-1 victory over visiting Marist on Sunday afternoon at the Naimoli Tennis Center. 

The Highlanders improved to 4-0 with the victory and are one win shy of tying the program's five-match winning streak to begin the 2021 campaign. 

For the first time this season, NJIT dropped a point as Marist took two of three doubles matches to go ahead 1-0. The tandem of Pablo Perez Ramos and Josh Smith improved to 4-0 on the season with a win at #1 doubles, 

"Marist really pushed us today," said Head Coach Marco Matteucci. "They came out strong in doubles and we just made too many errors in a short period of time. Credit to them."

Marist's lead was short-lived, however, as the Highlanders won all six singles matches, including four in straight sets. 

Perez Ramos improved to 4-0 at #1 singles in come-from-behind fashion. After dropping the first set 4-6, Perez Ramos rallied to win the second set 6-2 and clinched the match with a 6-1 win in the third set. Nejc Skorjanc also needed to come from behind after dropping the first set 4-6. The freshman took the second set 6-3 and won the match with a 6-4 third-set victory.

NJIT's #3-#6 singles players all won in straight sets with Amine El Kholti's 6-1, 6-0 victory at #3 being the most convincing win. Smith was victorious 6-4, 6-3 at #4, while Wil Jenkins won 6-4, 6-2 at #5 and Ashwin Kanetkar won is second match of the season at #6 by score of 7-5, 6-2.

"Marist kept its momentum going in singles, but we were able to battle through and find our rhythem," added Matteucci. "These are the matches we need to pull out if we want to play our best this season."

The Highlanders return to action on Friday when they host Fordham at 11 a.m. back in the Naimoli Tennis Center. 

COMPLETE RESULTS