Men's Tennis | 1/23/2026 8:00:00 AM

Jan. 17 | Penn State  | University Park, Pa. | Sarni Tennis Center | 3 p.m.

OPENING SERVE VS PENN STATE  
Saint Francis University's men's tennis team continues its 2026 spring slate with matches against the Penn State Nittany Lions, marking their fifth encounter since the 2020 season. In their last meeting, the Red Flash lost to the Nittany Lions, 6-1. Tyler Nguyen and Alan Gonzalez won the No. 1 doubles match, 6-4, while Kevin Titus, Suresh, and Matt Kozar won the No. 3 match, 6-2.

SCOUTING PENN STATE 
The Nittany Lions team includes three returning players and six new members, featuring transfer senior Michael Wright, who has been named a Big Ten Men's Tennis Player to Watch. Wright transferred to Penn State ahead of the 2025-26 academic year after playing at UC Berkeley. Leading the team in wins is sophomore Reiya Hattori, who recorded five victories during the fall season.

NEXT TIME OUT 
The men's tennis team returns to action Saturday, Jan.31, to face Colgate University in the first home match of the 2026 spring season at Ebensburg Tennis Center.

ABOUT THE COACH
Head coach Hovan begins his fifth season in Loretto and has helped both the men's and women's teams to new heights. In 2023-24, he was named NEC Coach of the Year after helping the men reach their second NEC Championship Game. Last season, the women's tennis team made the NEC Championship Game for the first time in program history. 

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
Men's tennis standout Sophomore  Kevin Titus Suresh had a fall slate to remember, further cementing himself as a star in this already talent-filled team. Across the six tournaments Suresh appeared in, the underclassmen posted a team-high 10-6 record, putting him on the path to claiming his first NEC Singles Championship, which in turn earned him a spot in the ITA Masters in San Diego in early November.