WILKES-BARRE, PA (March 21, 2026) -- The King's College men's tennis team battled to a close 4-3 defeat at the hands of Alvernia University in Saturday afternoon's spring home opener at Kirby Park. The Monarchs move to 0-4 on the season while the Golden Wolves pick up their first win of the season, improving to 1-3 overall.
 
Tim John got the afternoon started at No. 1 singles, dropping a 6-1, 6-2 decision to Lucas Montello. At No. 2 singles, Gavin Hall was unable to gain momentum against Luke Brisbois, falling by scores of 6-0 and 6-2.
 
King's responded in the middle of the lineup, as Amir Samadian delivered a straight-set victory at No. 3 singles. Samadian took control early with a 6-1 first set before closing out a 6-4 win over Andrew Kao to put the Monarchs on the board. At No. 4 singles, Logan Tomkins battled Troy O'Malley in a tightly contested match. After dropping the first set 6-1, Tomkins rallied to claim a 7-6 (7-2) win in the second set, but O'Malley secured the deciding super tiebreak, 10-8.
 
Zackary Bedwell continued his strong spring play at No. 5 singles, earning a straight-set win over Duncan McDowell. Bedwell edged out a 7-5 first set before finishing the match with a 6-3 victory. William Savner followed with another point for King's at No. 6 singles, defeating Jordan Bosco 6-4, 6-2 to even the match score at three apiece.
 
Doubles play ultimately proved decisive. At No. 1 doubles, the pairing of Hall and Samadian dropped a 7-6 (7-3) decision to Brisbois and O'Malley. Tomkins and John fell 6-3 at No. 2 doubles to Montello and Kao. King's picked up a doubles win at No. 3, as Bedwell and Savner earned a 6-3 victory over McDowell and Bosco.
 
The Monarchs hit the road to take on Lebanon Valley College in a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom contest next Saturday. First serve against the Flying Dutchmen slated for 4:00 p.m.