Men's Tennis 2017 Action Shots
Pinto won his No. 3 singles match and teamed up with Rok Bozic for a No. 1 doubles win.

Firebirds Claim Spring Opener 6-3 Victory Against Merrimack

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The University of the District of Columbia men's tennis team earned a convincing, 6-3 victory over NCAA Division II East Region competitors Merrimack College in their spring season opener Saturday afternoon at the Northeast Tennis Center. 

The Firebirds (2-2) came out triumphant to claim their second win of the 2017-18 season by winning four of five singles games being played and winning the number six through default. Also, winning one of two doubles matches played and winning the number three doubles similarly by default. 

Merrimack a strong outfit in the Northeast 10 Conference fell to a 5-4 overall today with their defeat to UDC. 

UDC having won number three doubles by default were already one up in the matchup, and with No. 1 pair and 7th in the nation duo Rok Bozic and Diego Pinto winning their contest 9-8 this gave the Firebirds a 2-1 lead going into singles as the No. 2 partnership fell short 9-8 in a tight match. 

Senior Diego Pinto was in fine form today as he completed his game with a comfortable 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles over Frank Vega. Then, Merrimack hit back in No. 2 and No. 4 singles to make it a nervy ending for the Firebirds. 

However, inspired performances firstly by East Coast Conference First Team honorary Rok Bozic produced a gritty game to overcome his No. 1 opponent Mikhail Belov 7-6, 7-6. With sophomore Josip Marinic completing the UDC victory with a tough 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1 battle against Tyler Clontz. 

The Firebirds will play host to USciences at Southeast Tennis and Learning Center Thursday, March 15th at 11:30AM.