Box Score RENSSELAER, N.Y. — The Bard College men's tennis team (0-3, 0-3 Liberty League) took an early season trip to RPI (1-0, 1-0 Liberty League), facing the Engineers in their dual match home opener.

The Engineers took the doubles sets, but the Raptors' No. 1 doubles team fought hard, holding on Thanasis Kostikas's serve and winning the first point of the next game on Kostikas's return winner down the line. Bard had two aces in the set to RPI's zero.

For the singles matches, the Engineers' heavy shots were the difference. 

At No. 1 singles, Kostikas played against Sid Srinivisan in a match that was closer than the score indicated. Overall, the Raptor defended with agility from the back of the court.

Faisal Jones played at No. 2 singles, falling to Jonathan McMillan. Jones' attempts to come to the net were met by precise passing shots from his opponent.

Yashar Khan's opponent kept him deep in the No. 3 match. Khan's returning was solid, getting him into longer rallies.

In the first set of the No. 4 match, Asher Henry's first serve percentage was 62%. Henry improved his game throughout the match, hitting with more depth and spin to win points on serve and return. 

At No. 5, George Miahkov's opponent, Debarshi Sen, sealed the match by forcing an error on Miahkov's backhand.

Ciaran Chamberlain continued to gain experience at No. 6, displaying his effort to run down each and every ball hit by Quoc-Uy Uo.

The Raptors' next match is a continuation of their Liberty League slate and will travel to Skidmore. First serve is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 5th.