RALEIGH, N.C. – The Shaw University men's tennis team opened their 2021 campaign with a 4-3 home victory over Catawba College Saturday afternoon at Worthdale Park.

The Bears fell behind after doubles play, dropping the first two positions (6-4, 6-2).

In singles, Shaw tied the match at 1-even after junior Romain Hennebelle (Montijny-Lengrain, France) secured a 6-2, 6-0 win at the No. 2 slot. The Bears would go to three sets apiece in positions 3 and 4 as sophomore Panashe Garah (Bedford, MA) registered a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 triumph while freshman Aakarshit Mahajan (Mohali Punjab, India) put together a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 frame.

Shaw would edge the Indians in the final and No. 6 singles by default.

The Bears will return to action Friday, Feb. 26 against Salem (WV). The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on Shaw University athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit shawbears.com.