Upper Marlboro, Md. (February 15, 2014) – The Mount St. Mary's men's tennis team fought its way to a 4-3 win over Howard on Saturday in the Mountaineers' first action of the spring season. The Mount earned the doubles point then picked up three singles victories on Saturday.

Beginning with doubles play, sophomore Austin Blake paired with senior Mike Zabetakis for a 6-2 decision over Ismael Kaouache and Laguna Foster at No. 2 for the Mount (3-1). Making his Mount St. Mary's debut, freshman Mateo DeSomocurcio played alongside fellow freshman Darren Mast at No. 3 doubles as the all-rookie combination earned a 6-1 win against Nile Kendall and Nico Sorrell of Howard (0-5).

Carrying a 1-0 lead into singles play, the Mountaineers notched victories at No. 3, 5 and 6 singles for the narrow victory.

DeSomocurcio took down Foster in a three-set thriller at the No. 3 position, while Mast (No. 5) and freshman Louis Tonon (No. 6) both picked up straight-set victories to help the Mount even the all-time series with the Bison at 8-8.

The Mount takes on Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. tomorrow afternoon.

Doubles
No. 1: Davis/Jones (Howard) def. Salomon/Tonon (Mount), 6-5 (11-9)
No. 2: Blake/Mike Zabetakis (Mount) def. Kaouache/Foster (Howard), 6-2
No. 3: Mast/DeSomocurcio  (Mount) def. Kendall/Sorrell (Howard), 6-1

Singles
No. 1: Jones (Howard) def. Blake (Mount), 6-2, 6-1
No. 2: Kaouache (Howard) def. Salomon (Mount), 6-4, 6-4
No. 3: DeSomocurcio (Mount) def. Foster (Howard), 6-1, 5-6, 7-2
No. 4: Davis (Howard) def. Mike Zabetakis (Mount), 6-3, 6-1
No. 5: Mast (Mount) def. Kendall (Howard), 6-0, 6-2
No. 6: Tonon (Mount) def. Sorrell (Howard), 6-1, 6-2