Ewing, NJ … A victory by Tim Gavornik (Millington, NJ/Watchung Hills) clinched a 6-3 victory for The College of New Jersey men's tennis team in its season opener on Wednesday afternoon in the Student Recreation Center.

The Lions (1-0) handed Chestnut Hill College (3-1) its first defeat of the season, battling back from a 2-1 deficit after the double's competition. Gavornik turned back Victor Iove, 6-3, 7-5 at fifth singles to seal the triumph. The Griffins are a Division II program located in

Sophomore Mitchel Sanders (Randolph, NJ/Ranolph) put forth a dominant effort at first singles, downing Lucas Bocaletto, 6-3, 6-1.  At third singles, Omar Bokhari (Lake Hiawatha, NJ/Parsippany) cruised to a 6-1 advantage in the first set, but opponent Antoine Gautier reciprocated with a 6-1 win in the second set. Bokhari regained command in the final set (6-2) to post a crucial win.

At fourth singles, Chris D'Agostino (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) fought his way to a 6-4, 7-5 triumph and senior Mike Stanley (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) rolled to straight sets (6-3, 6-4) at sixth singles.

In doubles, sophomore Matt Puig (Allendale, NJ/Northern Highland) and Gokul Murugesan (Edison, NJ/JP Stevens) registered an 8-7 (7-2) win.

The Lions are back in action this Saturday when they host Haverford College at 1 p.m.

The College of New Jersey 6, Chestnut Hill College 3

 Singles competition
1. Mitchel Sanders (TCNJM) def. Lucas Bocaletto (CHCM) 6-3, 6-1
2. Pierre Kohler (CHCM) def. Jack August (TCNJM) 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-3
3. Omar Bokhari (TCNJM) def. Antoine Gautier (CHCM) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2
4. Chris D'Agostino (TCNJM) def. Jonathan Ducretot (CHCM) 6-4, 7-5
5. Tim Gavornik (TCNJM) def. Victor Iove (CHCM) 6-3, 7-5
6. Mike Stanley (TCNJM) def. Pedro Regalin (CHCM) 6-3, 6-4

 Doubles competition
1. Pierre Kohler/Jonathan Ducretot (CHCM) def. Mike Stanley/Mitchel Sanders (TCNJM) 8-6
2. Lucas Bocaletto/Pedro Regalin (CHCM) def. Chris D'Agostino/Jack August (TCNJM) 8-4
3. Matt Puig/Gokul Murugesan (TCNJM) def. Antoine Gautier/Victor Iove (CHCM) 8-7 (7-2)