GORHAM Maine – The University of Southern Maine men's tennis team opened the 2023 season with a 9-0 loss to the University of Saint Joseph on Wednesday afternoon at the Costello Sports Complex.
 
Sophomores Zach Desmarais (St. Cyrille, QC / École Secondaire L'Odyssée) and Azam Jiwa (Calgary, AB, Canada/West Island College) were defeated at first doubles by Noah Rivera and Ryan Boucher 8-1. At second doubles junior Ethan Rudnicki (Levant, Maine/Hermon) and sophomore Zac Howe (Arundel, Maine/Thornton Academy) lost to Mario Karpyuk and Brett Hodas. The Blue Jays also won at third doubles as Jonathan Huot and Evan Haskins defeated the freshman duo of Landon Weaver (Bowdoinham, Maine/ Mt. Ararat) and Alex Lancaster (Lakeland, Fla./Lakeland Christian) 8-5.
 
At first singles Rivera defeated Desmarais 6-2, 6-0 while Karpyuk beat Jiwa 6-0, 6-2 at second doubles. Third and fourth singles both won by the Blues Jays with 6-1, 6-0 finals as Boucher bested Rudnicki and Huot defeated Howe. Weaver was defeated 6-1, 6-1 at fifth singles by Hodas and at sixth singles Lancaster battled Gabriel Guerrette to 6-3 and 6-4 losses.
 
The Huskies will host Thomas College on Wednesday, March 22 at 4PM.