WEST POINT, NY - The NJIT men's tennis team saw its season-opening, five match winning streak come to an end on Sunday, falling to host Army West Point 4-3 in a tight contest.

NJIT is now 5-1 on the season, while the Black Knights improved to 3-1.

"A heartbreaking loss," explained Head Coach Ira Miller. "Army was just a bit better at some crucial points."

The Highlanders dropped the doubles point for the first time since their season opener. Josh Smith and Samuel Townes earned the win at the #1 position and the Highlanders had a chance to win the #2 spot, as well, but were able to hold serve and the Black Knights took a 1-0 lead into singles play.

NJIT and Army split the six singles matches, with the Highlanders getting wins at the first, third, and fifth spots, courtesy of Abdullah Fouad, Amine El Kholti and Ashwin Kanetkar, respectively. 

All three of the Black Knights' singles victories came in three sets.

Kanetkar, the team's lone freshman, is now 6-0 on the season.

"We will continue to improve and look forward to our next match," concluded Miller.

The Highlanders will look to get back into the win column on Tuesday when they travel to Philadelphia to take on St. Joseph's University.

COMPLETE RESULTS

Singles competition

1. Abdullah Fouad (NJIT) def. Diego Huttepain (AWP) 6-3, 6-4

2. Samuel Eden (AWP) def. Josh Smith (NJIT) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2

3. Amine El Kholti (NJIT) def. Jake Huarte (AWP) 6-4, 6-2

4. David Gorshein (AWP) def. Samuel Townes (NJIT) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

5. Ashwin Kanetkar (NJIT) def. Nathan Jose (AWP) 7-6, 6-2

6. Sam Kesti (AWP) def. Ammar Fekry (NJIT) 7-6, 2-6, 7-5

Doubles competition

1. Josh Smith/Samuel Townes (NJIT) def. Diego Huttepain/Samuel Eden (AWP) 7-6 (10-8)

2. David Gorshein/Samuel Haikel (AWP) def. Abdullah Fouad/Amine El Kholti (NJIT) 7-5

3. Nathan Jose/Jake Huarte (AWP) def. Ashwin Kanetkar/Ammar Fekry (NJIT) 6-2