Siena Men's Tennis got off to a rousing strong start at the ITA Northeast Regionals on the courts of Yale's Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center Friday, winning five of seven singles and doubles matches against premier competition from across the country. 
 
Winners from this weekend's competition will earn a spot at the ITA Super Regionals set for Oct. 20-23.
 
"It was an incredible first day at regionals," said Siena men's tennis coach John Chiaramonte. "We notched five solid wins against quality opponents."
 
The Saints' number one through four singles players all emerged victorious while their top pairing of doubles team also advanced to Saturday's play in the draws.
 
Junior Fabio Varella and sophomore Zino Varouhas-Poole had the biggest days for the Saints as each won its singles matchup and then also paired together to win their doubles #1 match against the Sacred Heart combo of senior Lefteri Apostolo and junior Antoine Hernandez 8-3.  They'll play Carlos Guerrero Alvarez and Xander Barber of Dartmouth on Saturday. 
 
Varella rallied back after dropping the opening set to defeat Army's Vishnu Bodavula 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.  The Sao Paulo, Brazilian native will draw Yoriyo Onuma of Dartmouth next in the round of 64. 
 
Varouhas-Poole also demonstrated his resiliency by bouncing back after losing the middle set to top Stefan Stojanovic of Fordham 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.  

Next, the Marquette transfer will play Roee Benya of Yale.
 
Freshman Oscar Martinez continued his scorching start to the season, besting Bryant's Diego Serra Sparrow in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.  

Martinez, who improved to 6-1 in singles plays, draws Oliver Thoeny of Marist in the next round.  Thoeny was given an opening round bye. 
 
Junior Maxwell Acri upped his singles record to 5-2 after holding off Cam Illanes, of Holy Cross, by the scores of 6-4, 7-6.  Acri will take on Jose Davila of Bryant in the next match up. 
 
The Saints will enter day two of the ITA Northeast Regionals in New Haven, CT on Saturday with the first matches beginning at 9 a.m.
 
MEN'S SINGLES RESULTS
#1 Varella (SC) def. Bodavula (Army) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
#2 Varouhas-Poole (SC) def. Stojanovic (Fordham) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
#3 Martinez (SC) def. Serra Sparrow (Bryant) 6-4, 7-5
#4 Acri (SC) def. Illanes (Holy Cross) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
#5 Linedman (Merrimack) def. Moro (SC) 6-4, 6-2
 
MEN'S DOUBLES RESULTS
#1 Varouhas-Poole/Varella (SC) def. Apostolu/Hernandez (Sacred Heart) 8-3
#4 Davila/Serra Sparrow (Bryant) def. Breen/Martinez (SC) 8-3