WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 9, 2026) – Playing their first division I opponent since 2023, Rollins did not back down, rolling past Bucknell University Monday night, 5-2. The Tars have now won four of their last five matchups with division I opponents dating back to 2019.
Rollins clinched the doubles point with wins almost simultaneously on courts two and three.
Lawson Prather and
Nico de Giacomo secured a 6-3 winner mere moments before
Mo Anterist and
Fabian Gusic capped things by the same score. The results sent the crowd into a frenzy, issuing a statement that the Tars came to play.
Rollins exited the locker room on a mission, and that was clear from the get-go.
Mo Anterist got the honor of doubling the team's score with a singles triumph on court four. After the deciding point, Anterist brought the crowd to its feet again, swinging his arms in a motion to represent "digging deep," to secure the point for his team. Anterist's enthusiasm was also a way to encourage his teammates, all of whom were still in the throes of their match. While the sophomore playing on court four was all the way on the other side of the complex at the time,
Nico de Giacomo seemed to receive his plea while on court five. The smooth swinging lefty brought the Tars within one point of a clinch with a decisive straight set win of his own, 6-2, 6-0. With the energy only increasing by the hot start, it was only a matter of time before Rollins officially put a cap on things.
Fabian Gusic had the privilege of doing just that, once again, modeling his teammates in the minimum fashion. The senior's emphatic burst of emotion upon fortifying the final point symbolized how everyone in the crowd felt as well. Gusic's 7-5, 6-3 score had won him the match, and it had piled another victory onto his team's plate in the process.
Pete Tran wasn't ready for the fun to end. His 7-5, 6-3 victory on court six continued his torrid start from the position. Tran has now won five straight sets, dating back to the beginning of this month.
While Bucknell captured line one,
Lawson Prather fought hard, especially in the second set. With his back against the wall, Prather went on to win three straight sets before ultimately falling. His comrade, Richie Stoiberer, was equally as valiant, dropping his match on court two, but fighting until the very end.
Bouncing back from the team's first loss on Saturday, Coach
Jay Friedman, was proud of his team's resolve. "Great effort by the guys today. What a great bounce back match after Barry. Glad to get back on the good side," Friedman remarked postgame.
The visitors were no slouch. Last season, Bucknell won the Patriot League to secure an automatic bid into the big dance. That was not lost on the Tars leader.
"And hey, it's always good to take down a division one conference champion," Freidman continued.
"I think we're back ready to rock and [keep it] rolling."
The band will be back together Wednesday when the Tuskegee Tigers come to town. Doubles action begins at approximately 6pm. If you can't make it to the match, be sure to follow the action live, and all season long, at Rollinssports.com.
