The Emory Oxford Men's tennis team opened their 2022 season, competing against three teams in Mississippi this weekend. The Eagles look to clinch their ninth national title later this season as they will host the 2022 NJCAA Division III National Championship on campus. 

On Saturday (Feb. 5) morning, they faced Jones College and lost 8-1. The lone win came from freshman Alexander Szymanski who won sixth singles, 6-3, 6-1. That afternoon, they took on Hinds Community College and lost 5-4. The Eagles claimed their first doubles win of the weekend on court two, with freshman duo Zachary Ravel and Jahaan Sachdeva winning 8-4. In singles, Emory Oxford claimed victories on courts four, five and six. Sachdeva defeated his opponent 6-1, 6-1 on court four, while Szymanski won his second match of the weekend on court five 6-4, 4-6 (10-6). Freshman Ryan Talano won his first match on court six, winning 6-1, 6-0. 

The following day, the Eagles played Meridian Community College and lost 2-7. Talano claimed sixth singles for a second time this weekend, defeating his opponent 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. Szymanski won his third singles match of the weekend on court five with a score of 7-5, 6-4. 

"We battle hard against strong opponents this weekend," commented Coach Pernilla Hardin. "We had some nice wins from Alex (Szymanski) and Ryan (Talano), plus a good doubles win with Zach (Ravel) and Jahaan (Sachdeva)."

The Eagles will return to action at home on Saturday, Feb. 12, against Gadsden State Community College. Matches are set to begin at 1:00 PM.