ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Fran Cusick (Lexington, Mass.) and David Newton (Hamden, Conn.) topped all New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) men's tennis players this week to earn both Player and Rookie of the Week honors.  For Newton, it was his second consecutive Rookie of the Week award.

The men's tennis team surpassed their 2008 season win total after defeating Johnson State College 5-4 this past Saturday and rode that momentum to a 9-0 triumph over Wheelock College on Sunday.  The Lynx now stand at 3-1 (2-1 NECC) after the historic back-to-back victories this weekend.

A large part of Lesley's success this past week was due to the undefeated play of Fran Cusick (Lexington, Mass.) who went 4-0 against his Badger and Wildcat opponents on the court.  Cusick, most commonly known for his domination in the fall during cross country season, competed in the #3 singles and #2 doubles in both matches. 

Against Johnson State, Cusick and doubles parter Alejandro Lazo (Boston, Mass.) found themselves in a 7-2 deficit, but rallied to take seven straight points to win 9-7.  Cusick's singles match was less of a challenge as the senior claimed a straight set victory, winning 6-4 and 6-2.  His Wheelock opponents suffered similar fates as Cusick won 8-3 in doubles and 6-2, 6-4 in singles play.

Despite a doubles loss against Johnson State, Newton thrived in his #2 singles match as the freshman won in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.  The following day, Newton stepped up his game in his first #1 singles match against Wheelock and won 6-0, 6-4.  He also won 8-4 in his #1 singles match with partner Sonny Ljutica (Shenendehowa, N.Y.).

Cusick, Newton and the rest of the Lynx men's tennis squad take their two-game winning streak to Providence, Rhode Island on Thursday to face off against a highly-talented Rhode Island College team.  In 2008, the Lynx suffered a 7-1 loss to Anchormen.

To learn more about 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