Hempstead, N.Y. - Returning to the match courts for the first time since October, the Adelphi University men's tennis team fell in non-conference action to the Bears of the New York Institute of Technology, 8-1, on Friday afternoon. Making his Adelphi debut, Matteo Cannavera picked up the Panthers' only point in the setback.

The Bears (2-1), currently ranked No. 15 in the country and No. 2 in the East Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), led 3-0 in the match at the close of doubles play. The Panthers played the Bears close in each of the three matches, but were unable to come out with a victory. Cannavera and Chiwete Njokanma fell by an 8-6 score in second doubles, while the other two flights were decided by 8-5 scores. 

Matej Selecky kicked off singles play with a 6-0, 6-0 defeat of Sander Brenner at fourth singles to put NYIT one point away from the win. Rafal Charkiewicz clinched the victory by allowing Njokanma just one game at No. 3 singles, after which Julio Pulido prevailed over Uladzislau Litvinchuck 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2. Lieb recorded NYIT's second double bagel of the day over Zapata before Cannavera picked up his first collegiate win to put Adelphi on the board. Nico Jubera closed out the match with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Justin Vijungco at No. 6 singles.

"In our first match of the season we played one of the top teams in the nation," Head Coach Michael Misiti stated. "This was always going to be difficult, and hopefully we will improve in the coming weeks. One of the bright spots was our new No. 1 player Matteo Cannavera, who won and showed us what we are in for."

Doubles
1. David Jiang / Nico Jubera (NYITM) def. Uladzislau Litvinchuk / Sander Brenner (ADE) 8-5
2. Rafal Charkiewicz / Matej Selecky (NYITM) def. Matteo Cannavera / Chiwete Njokanma (ADE) 8-6
3. Julio Pulido / Tomas Lieb (NYITM) def. Sebastian Zapata / Ryan Villarruel (ADE) 8-5

Singles
1 Cannavera (ADE) def. Jiang (NYITM) 6-3, 6-2
2 Pulido (NYITM) def. Litvinchuk (ADE) 6-2, 6-3
3 Charkiewicz (NYITM) def. Njokanma (ADE) 6-1, 6-0
4 Selecky (NYITM) def. Brenner (ADE) 6-0, 6-0
5 Lieb (NYITM) def. Zapata (ADE) 6-0, 6-0
6 Jubera (NYITM) def. Justin Vijungco (ADE) 6-1, 6-2

The Panthers return to action next Friday, February 27, when they travel to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to take on ASA College.