UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's tennis team prepares for back-to-back matches this week … The Pioneers will head to Houghton on Friday before welcoming Elmira College to the UC Tennis Courts on Saturday … Friday's match in Houghton is scheduled for 4 p.m. while Sunday's volley is set for 1 p.m.

THIS PAST WEEK: UC is coming off a 1-4 week as it lost to Hartwick, on the road, and Stevens and Oswego on its home court ... Utica posted its first win of the season on Sunday as it defeated The Sage Colleges at the UC Courts by a score of 6-3 … Junior Matt Rogers (East Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) led the way winning his singles and doubles match … Rogers partnered up with Joe Castellitto (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) for an 8-2 victory in doubles play.

ROGERS IS A TOUGH OUT: Junior Matt Rogers (East Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) has won his last two singles matches and three-of-four over the past week, despite the Pioneers going 1-4 … He beat Hartwick's No. 2 this past Wednesday in three frames (4-6, 6-4, 10-7) before downing Sage's Troy Hansen (6-1, 6-0) and Oswego's Brian Lyudemer (6-4, 6-2) … His three victories in singles lead the team.

THE HIGHLANDER REPORT: Houghton presently holds a 6-8 overall record including a 2-4 mark in the Empire 8 … HC has dropped two close matches, both on the road, to Alfred, 5-4, and Fisher, 6-3 …Before its recent losing streak, the Highlanders had strung together four straight wins.

SCOUTING ELMIRA: The Soaring Eagles are currently 6-4 overall on the season while maintaining a 3-2 ledger in conference play … After winning six straight dating back to March 1^st, Elmira has fell upon hard time losing two in a row to E8 rivals Hartwick and Stevens … EC is 4-1 at home while 2-3 on the road.

SEASON FINALE: The Pioneers head to Keuka Park, NY on Wednesday April 29^th for their regular season finale against Keuka College … The match is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at the KC Tennis Complex … The Wolfpack is currently 1-9 overall on the season.