BOSTON – The Suffolk men's tennis team will begin its 2016 campaign Thursday as it hosts Wentworth in the first of a five-match homestand to open up the schedule. This will be the third consecutive year the Rams will host the Leopards in the first contest of the season.

SOCIALIZE
Stay up-to-date with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics by connecting with the Rams on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Be sure to use the hashtag #RamNation for an insider's look at Suffolk's teams and student-athletes.

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
Suffolk enters the 2016 season coming off a 6-3 overall finish in 2015 and placing third in the GNAC North Division. The Rams were 1-1 in GNAC play last year and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament before falling short to Norwich 5-4. Prior to 2015, the Suffolk was on a previous run of five straight GNAC Championship match appearances, including three titles from 2010 to 2012.

The Rams lost their top performer to graduation, Marc Winkler, the 2015 GNAC Player of the Year, who was 9-0 in singles play. Suffolk welcomes back six returners, however, including Francesco Saia, who finished 7-1 in singles last season. Saia and sophomore returner Alonso Vela boasted a 5-2 record in 2015 doubles play as well. The Rams will also be joined by six newcomers.  

SEASON OPENER
Suffolk has won its last two season-opening matches and will look to keep that streak alive as the Rams host Wentworth in the schedule's first contest for the third consecutive year. Suffolk is 7-0 when serving off against the Leopards over the past seven seasons according to the Rams' record books which date back to 2009.

PRESEASON POLL
The Rams are projected to place first in the GNAC North Division this year, according to the 2016 GNAC Preseason Poll voted on by the league's seven head coaches. Suffolk will look to build upon last year's 6-3 finish joined by six newcomers and returning six veterans.

North Division

1. Suffolk (3) - 17

2. Norwich (4) - 16

3. Johnson & Wales - 9

South Division

1. Ramapo (7) - 28

2. Rutgers-Newark - 18

T3. Albertus Magnus - 12

T3. Rutgers-Camden - 12

LODOWN ON THE LEOPARDS
Wentworth opened up its 2016 season on February 27 when it fell to Bentley 9-0. On March 16, the Leopards defeated Bridgewater State by the same score. James Drum, Seng Ly, Zach Peter, Nate Schwartz, Matthew Smith and Henry Tittmann have each notched wins so far this year while Ly and Peter are 1-0 in doubles play.

The Leopards entered 2016 coming off a 4-9 record during the 2014-15 campaign. They will return seven veterans and welcome four newcomers to the team this year. Members of the Commonwealth Coast Conference, Wentworth is projected to finish seventh this season, according to the league's preseason poll.

UP NEXT
Suffolk will remain home at Buckingham, Browne & Nichols for the next four matches. Following Thursday's contest, the Rams will host Wheelock Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.