Cambridge, Mass. - The long-awaited spring season got underway for the Adelphi University men's tennis team Saturday in the greater Boston area, where the Panthers played in two hard-fought tune-ups against Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A pair of well-renowned athletic programs, the two opponents aren't all too familiar to the Adelphi schedule, considering their NCAA Division I and Division III status, respectively.

Match #1: Adelphi 3, Boston University 4
The spring couldn't have gotten off to a better start for the Panthers, who took the doubles point off the Terriers.

Both the No. 2 tandem of Reece Farrow and Hugo Munoz Reinoso, and the No. 3 regionally-ranked pair of Thomas Horsley and Thiago Negrao won 6-4 at their respective flights. Reinoso made his Adelphi debut after arriving from Cardinal Stritch University as a mid-year transfer.

Gabriel Balestero quickly added to Adelphi's early lead with a 6-0, 6-1 dispatching of Boston University's Jonah Dickson at No. 3 singles.

Sophomore Marko Jovanovic had the Panthers within a point of upsetting the Division I Terriers, after a thrilling 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6) top-singles victory.

Match #2: Adelphi 5, MIT 2
Despite a disheartening loss earlier in the day, the Panthers went across the Charles River and triumphed convincingly over the Engineers.

Adelphi fell into the early hole off doubles this time, but made up for it in singles competition.

Balestero remained impressive with a 6-2, 6-1 result at No. 2 singles. Hockl followed with a straight-set win (6-2, 6-1) of his own at the No. 3 flight.

Reece Farrow dropped his opening set at fourth singles, only to rally back for a 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2 victory. Negrao earned the clinching point with a 7-5, 6-3 decision at No. 5 singles.

Head Coach Rebecca Fakas and the Panthers have a week off before traveling to Sparkill, N.Y. next Saturday (Feb. 18) for a 6:45 p.m. first serve at St. Thomas Aquinas College.