MOUNT ST. MARY'S (2-0) at HOWARD (0-3)
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 9 a.m.
Washington Tennis & Education Foundation | Washington, D.C.
MOUNT UPDATE: Nearly four months after its last competition, the Mount men's tennis team returns to action with a road test at Howard on Saturday morning to kick off the spring schedule. During the fall, the Mount competed in two matches and three tournaments with sophomores Darren Mast and Mateo DeSomocurcio winning six singles matches apiece to lead the way.
LAST TIME OUT: In a 5-2 home win over Rider in the fall finale on Oct. 19, 11th-year Head Coach Phil Hammond won his 100th career match with the men's program. The Mountaineers swept the doubles matches before Austin Blake, Darren Mast, Louis Tonon and Brandon Wortkotter all won in singles action on the day.
FALL RECAP: Mount St. Mary's compiled a 2-0 record in dual matches to go with strong showings in three tournaments in the 2014 fall season. Sophomore Darren Mast went undefeated in the month of October, going 4-0 in both singles and doubles play. The Mount continued its consistent play in doubles with the pairings of Austin Blake/Brandon Wortkotter, as well as Mast/Louis Tonon going undefeated at 5-0 and 4-0, respectively.
ABOUT HOWARD: Competing for the fourth time this spring, Howard is off to a 0-3 start to the season with road losses at William and Mary, Navy and No. 6 North Carolina. The Bison's No. 1 singles player, Ismael Kaouache has tallied the lone victory so far this spring.
LAST SEASON VERSUS HOWARD: In last year's spring opener on Feb. 15, the Mount took down Howard, 4-3. Wins by Austin Blake and Mike Zabetakis at No. 2 doubles, coupled with a victory from Darren Mast and Mateo DeSomocurcio gave the Mount the doubles point. In singles, DeSomocurcio (No. 3), Mast (No. 5) and Louis Tonon (No. 6) were all victorious on the day.
ALL-TIME VERSUS HOWARD: Since moving to Division I prior to the 1988-89 season, the Mount has posted an 8-8 record versus the Bison. The Mount has won three in a row and four of the last five against Howard.
UP NEXT: The Mount hosts Northeast Conference opponent Wagner on Saturday, Feb. 21, for a 3 p.m. match in Waynesboro, Pa.
