FLUSHING, N.Y. – Fifth-seeded Merrimack College rallied from a 2-1 deficit after doubles to post a 5-3 win over No. 4 seed Southern New Hampshire University in the first round of the NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Championship East Regional held Monday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.  The Warriors, who avenged a 5-4 loss to the Penmen in the Northeast-10 Championship final, improve to 14-8 and advance to face top-seeded and host Concordia (N.Y.) College Tuesday.  Southern New Hampshire sees its most successful season come to a close at 18-6.

In doubles play, Mitch Dobek (Westfield, Mass.) and Mike Wallace (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) teamed up for an 8-5 win over Matt Pronesti and Chris Barnhart at No. 1 doubles, while Juan Arango-Campo (Armenia Quindio, Colombia) and Alex Mukdaprakorn (Hartford, Conn.) were 8-2 winners at No. 2.  The Warriors prevailed 8-2 at No. 3 doubles to give the Penmen a 2-1 lead heading into singles.

Dobek gave the Penmen a 3-1 lead with his 6-3, 6-1 win over Pronesti in the NTC's Armstrong Stadium, however, the Warriors would come back to post wins at Nos. 2, 4, 5 and 6 singles to advance.

Southern New Hampshire's 18 victories this season are a single-season program record.  The Penmen were making their fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance.

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Merrimack 5, So. New Hampshire 3
05/05/14 at Flushing, N.Y. (USTA National Tennis Center)