COLCHESTER, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College men's tennis team opened its 2013-14 campaign with an 8-1 loss to regionally-ranked Stonehill College on Sunday in the Tarrant Recreation Center. The Skyhawks, who are 10th in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) East Region poll, are 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the Northeast-10 Conference.

In the Purple Knights' final home match until March 1, first-year Patrick Dietz (Prospect, Conn./Woodland Regional) earned a victory in his college debut, winning after his opponent retired at No. 6 singles. In the third position, sophomore Charlie Merry (Kennebunkport, Maine/Kennebunk) lost the first set but won the second before dropping a 6-0, 3-6, 6-2 decision. Senior Nick Bosco (Glastonbury, Conn./East Catholic) lost by a 7-5, 7-5 count at No. 1.

The Purple Knights head to Franklin Pierce University next Sunday for an 11 a.m. league clash.