Newark, NJ - The NJIT men's tennis team won its season opener on Sunday, as the squad defeated LIU 4-3 in the Naimoli Tennis Center .

NJIT (1-0) won the doubles point by earning two out of with three wins in tandem play to take a 1-0 lead against the Sharks (1-1).

The match was tied 3-3, before Oscar Callo von Platen won the decisive sixth singles pairing to clinch the victory for NJIT in his collegiate debut. 

"I'm happy for the team to start the season off with a win," said first-year Head Coach Marco Matteucci. "I'm proud of the way we competed today."

Amine el Kohlti and Samuel Townes won 6-2 at second doubles, while Daniel Sabagol and Callo von Platen won at third doubles to put the Highlanders ahead 1-0.

In singles play, NJIT earned three more wins to clinch its first match of the season.

Josh Smith (6-2, 6-1) and Ashwin Kanetkar (6-2, 6-2) joined Von Platen (3-6, 6-4, 6-4) with singles victories to deliver the Highlanders their first victory of the season.

"Everyone from top to bottom fought hard, and I'm mostly proud of how we fought to the end," added Matteucci. "It's always great to see a freshman (von Platen) clinch the win in his very first match!"

NJIT will return to action on Saturday, February 5, when it heads to Philadelphia to take on Drexel.

Full results

Singles competition

1. Ben Brandherm (LIU) def. Pablo Perez Ramos (NJIT) 6-4, 6-2

2. Danila Ishchanka (LIU) def. Amine El Kholti (NJIT) 6-4, 6-3

3. Josh Smith (NJIT) def. S. Fernandez Romera (LIU) 6-2, 6-1

4. Ashwin Kanetkar (NJIT) def. Allesandro D'Anna (LIU) 6-2, 6-2

5. Akhilendran Indrabal (LIU) def. Samuel Townes (NJIT) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2

6. Oscar Callo von Platen (NJIT) def. G. De Mederios (LIU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition

1. Ben Brandherm/Danila Ishchanka (LIU) def. Pablo Perez Ramos/Josh Smith (NJIT) 7-6

2. Amine El Kholti/Samuel Townes (NJIT) def. Phillip Hilble/Akhilendran Indrabal (LIU) 6-2

3. Oscar Callo von Platen/Daniel Sabogal (NJIT) def. S. Fernandez Romera/G. De Mederios (LIU) 6-3