BALTIMORE (April 5, 2018) – Coach Larry Strickland and the Howard University Men's Tennis team picked up its first win of the season, knocking off rival Coppin State (CSU), 4-1, in Baltimore.
 
With the win, HU secured its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory of the year.
 
Junior Karim Shokeir and sophomore Cole Gittens led the charge as both Bison won in three sets. Gittens, who served as Howard's No. 2 singles player, defeated CSU's Andres Diaz (2-6, 7-6, 7-5), whereas Shokeir entered in the No. 3 position and topped Coppin State's Gavin Lewis (6-2, 4-6, 6-4).
 
Sophomore Sagar Raju and newcomer Kyle Martin each earned their first victories of the season by winning in straight sets.
 
Coppin State's lone point came when HU's Roger Lyn retired in his match with Jorge Rodriguez Rey.
 
Sunday (April 8), Howard returns to The District where the Morgan State Bears await. Match time is set for 1 p.m.
 
Howard vs. Coppin State
April 5, 2018 at Baltimore, Md. (CSU Tennis Complex)
 
Coppin State 1, Howard 4
 
SINGLES COMPETITION
 
1. RODRIGUEZ REY,Jorge (CSUM) def. LYN,Roger (HOWM) 3-2, retired
2. GITTENS,Cole (HOWM) def. DIAZ,Andres (CSUM) 2-6, 7-6, 7-5
3. SHOKEIR,Karim (HOWM) def. LEWIS,Gavin (CSUM) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
4. RAJU,Sagar (HOWM) def. FRANCA,Gabriel (CSUM) 6-1, 6-4
5. MARTIN,Kyle (HOWM) def. ZAPPAROLI DE SOUZA,I (CSUM) 6-0, 6-2
6. BLACKBURN,Devaughn (HOWM) vs. OULA,Zaipo (CSUM) no result
 
MATCH NOTES
 
Howard: 1-11, 1-2 MEAC
Coppin State: 1-5, 0-1 MEAC
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.