ATTLEBORO, Mass. - The New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) handed out its first weekly awards and Lesley University men's tennis freshman David Newton (Hamden, Conn.) earned Rookie of the Week honors. Newton was solid this weekend in both his singles and doubles matches against Mitchell College and Becker College.

Newton kicked off his Lynx tennis career on Saturday against Mitchell College and despite dropping both of his matches, the freshman posted solid scores.  He lost in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 in his #2 singles match and nearly pulled out a victory in the #2 doubles match, losing a nail biter 9-8. 

Lesley would lose the match to the Mariners 9-0.

Newton and the Lynx as a team rebounded nicely against Becker College the following day, pulling off a 6-3 triumph to move to 1-1 (1-1 NECC) on the season.  In his #2 singles match, Newton edged his opponent in the first set 7-6 (7-3 tiebreaker) and won handily in the second set 6-2.  With a 8-3 win in the #1 doubles match, the freshman helped solidify Lesley's first team victory.

The win matches Lesley's win total from 2008 as the Lynx look to steadily improve their men's tennis program in the new conference.

Newton's Rookie of the Week Award marks the first time a freshman has ever won the honor.

To learn more about David Newton and the Lesley University men's tennis team, please visit their website.

Contact:          Rob Palardy
                        Sports Information Director
                        Lesley University
                        617.349.8627 (office)
                        617.349.8640 (fax)
                        rpalardy@lesley.edu

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