SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's tennis team opened the 2014 portion of its schedule with a doubleheader split on Saturday against Dartmouth and Villanova in Hanover, N.H.

The Bulldogs (5-1) fell to the Big Green, 7-0, before rebounding to defeat Villanova 6-1.

"We knew opening our season with a double header against a pair of quality opponents would be a challenge", said Bryant head coach Ron Gendron.

"We could have put up a better fight against Dartmouth and I'm not thrilled with those results, but we did however bounce back with some grit."

Against the Wildcats, senior Dana Parziale (Pinehurst, N.C.) continued his stellar senior season with a 6-3, 6-5 victory over Thomas O'Brien. The second-set victory was a battle that Parziale was able to win in the tiebreak, 7-4. Bryant also received singles victories from Zachary Morris (Garden City, N.Y.), Max Vogt (Fair Oaks, Calif.), Christian Duarte (Dallas, Texas) and Ernesto Arguello (Managua, Nicaragua). Morris won 6-3, 6-4, Vogt won 6-5 (3), 6-4, Duarte won 6-4, 6-0 and Arguelo won 6-5 (3), 1-6, 6-5 (3).

Bryant also took the doubles point thanks to strong performances from the duos of Arguelo and John Templeman (Midland, Mich.), Oliver Welsh (San Diego, Calif.) and Parziale and Morris and Corey DiPaola (Lincoln, R.I.). Arguelo and Templeman won 6-2, Welsh and Parziale won 6-5 (5) and Morris and DiPaola won 6-5 (7).

"DiPaola and Morris clinched the doubles point with a strong effort to help us earn our first ever doubles point from Villanova", added Gendron. "And Parziale clinched the match with a comeback against a very strong player in Tom O'Brien."

"Overall, we are pleased with our efforts and we look forward to get back after it on Monday."

The Bulldogs return to the courts next weekend as they host Xavier at Rally Point in Greenville, R.I. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University men's tennis team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.