Roger Williams enters the NCAA Tournament led by Conference of New England Coach of the Year Barry Gorman, who owns a 160-51 record at RWU and was recognized this season after helping the Hawks claim another conference title and a 10-1 record in league play.
The Hawks were heavily represented in the CNE postseason awards. Senior Ryan Carroll (Holden, Mass.) and sophomore Bronson DeSisto (Las Vegas, Nev.) each earned All-Conference First Team Singles honors, while the duo also garnered First Team Doubles recognition after combining for one of the top doubles records in the conference. Senior Camden Poitras (Londonderry, N.H.) was named to the All-Conference Third Team in singles play, while Poitras and junior Will Hurlbut (Marion, Mass.) earned Third Team Doubles honors. Senior Jackson Slattery (Watertown, Conn.) additionally represented Roger Williams on the Conference of New England Community Service Team.
Roger Williams has showcased impressive depth throughout the season, compiling a 90-34 singles record and a 47-17 doubles mark entering NCAA Tournament play. Ryan Carroll has paced the Hawks with a 16-2 singles record and enters Friday's match riding a 10-match winning streak. Hurlbut has added a 15-2 singles campaign, Poitras owns a 14-5 record, and first year Om Seth (Lincoln, R.I.) has emerged with a standout 14-3 mark in his rookie season.
In doubles competition, Roger Williams has excelled behind Carroll and DeSisto, who have combined for a 16-5 doubles record this season. Poitras and Hurlbut have also been a consistent pairing with nine doubles victories entering postseason competition.
The Hawks enter Friday's matchup having won three straight matches, including dominant 4-0 victories over Colby-Sawyer and Nichols in the Conference of New England Tournament. Roger Williams also remained unbeaten at home throughout the season, posting a perfect 10-0 mark in Bristol.
Farmingdale State arrives in Brunswick after claiming the Skyline Conference Championship and extending its winning streak to eight matches. The Rams continue to thrive under longtime head coach Adam Waterhouse, who was recently named Skyline Conference Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season and the 10th time overall. Waterhouse has guided Farmingdale State to four Skyline titles in the last five seasons and owns a 174-86 career record with the men's program.
The Rams placed three players on the All-Skyline Conference First Team in junior Kwaku Agyeman, sophomore Zakaria Ahmed, and freshman Devan Melandro. Ahmed earned repeat first-team recognition after posting a strong season primarily at the No. 2 singles position, while Melandro stepped into the top singles flight during his rookie campaign. Agyeman has been one of Farmingdale State's top all-around contributors with eight singles victories and a team-leading doubles record. Danial Zindani also represented the Rams on the Skyline All-Sportsmanship Team.
Farmingdale State has relied on balance throughout the lineup this season, finishing with an 81-41 singles record and a 37-23 doubles mark in dual competition. The Rams secured the Skyline title with postseason victories over Merchant Marine and Manhattanville and have consistently handled conference competition throughout the spring.
Friday's contest will take place at 12:30 pm in Brunswick. The winner will advance to play Bowdoin in the second round on Saturday.
