UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's tennis team fell to Empire 8 Conference opponent Houghton College 8-1 on Friday in the inaugural home match at the Todd & Jen Hutton Sports & Recreation Center on Friday afternoon. Kevin Vo (Utica, NY/Proctor) led the team with his first singles victory of the season beating the Highlanders' number one, Chase Rangel 7-6 and 6-0.
 
Senior Raphael Warnon (Rock Tavern, NY/Washingtonville) was in a close match against Jordan Crouch just barely falling 7-6 and 7-5. Matt Rogers (East Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) was also in a competitive match against Zach Shilvock dropping both sets 6-4. Paul Litvak (Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln) won three games in the first set and one game in the second set for Utica while Edgar Aguilar (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) won three games in the first set of his two set match.
 
Vo and Warnon were in a doubles match against Rangel and Crouch that came down to the wire with Houghton just beating Utica 9-7. Rogers and Jacob Nigolian (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) fell 8-4 in doubles action while Franklin Guebara (Utica, NY/Proctor) and Daniel Angotti (Auburn, NY/Southern Cayuga) fell 8-1.
 
The Pioneers return to action Saturday when they travel to Elmira for an Empire 8 contest. The match is scheduled for 1 p.m.