Lyndonville, VT - The Vermont State University Lyndon men's tennis team will open their 2026 season with a non-conference match at Norwich University on Wednesday afternoon. That match kicks off a ten match schedule, as the Hornets seek to return to post-season play for the first time since the 2023 campaign.
The Hornets will again compete as associate members of the Empire 8 Conference this season. They join Norwich, the State University of New York at Delhi, Lesley University, Thomas College, and Vermont State University Johnson in the E8's East Division. The West division includes Alfred University, Houghton University, Nazateth University, Saint John Fisher University, and the State University of New York at Oswego.
Each E8 team will play each of the other division opponents once in conference play. The top three teams in both the East and West divisions will qualify for the Empire 8 playoffs. The conference champion will earn automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
In addition to their five E8 matches, the Hornets will play Norwich, SUNY Delhi, and VTSU Johnson in non-conference contests. A pari of non-conference matchups with Vermont State University Castleton complete the schedule.
The Hornets will lean on returnees Wesley McIntyre (Troy, NY) and David Gratton (Newport, VT) at the top of their lineup. McIntyre, a junior, was a team best 9-3 in singles play a year ago, his first collegiate campaign. He earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors for his efforts. Gratton earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors in doubles, posting a 6-5 mark teaming with then seniors Jeffrey Blais (Newport, VT) and Gilbert Flores (Winsted, CT). He has a career 17-17 mark as a singles player, and an identical 17-17 record playing doubles.
Junior Zahi Rashid (St. Johnsbury, VT) returns to the team after a year absence. Rashid played in one singles match and one doubles match in 2024.
Six newcomers round out the roster. Junior Bryan Nazario (Little Elm, TX), sophomore Addie Jensen (Coventry, VT), and four freshmen, Joe Buchanan (McCordsville, IN), Olivia Cordova (Craig, CO), Parker Pierce (Woodstock, VT), and Xavier Rainwater (Frisco, TX), will all see their first collegiate action.
Veteran head coach Laura Laramee returns for her 15th season at the helm of the Hornets. Laramee is enthusiastic about her team's prospects. "We will be led by our two star returner players. David Gratton, with four years experience looks ready to have a great season as captain. Co-captain Wesley McIntyre has shown great improvement and should have a strong season as he gains skills in his second year. With six new incoming players, we look to be promising and competitive in the other positions as their athleticism and determination is proving to give them the ability to compete in this conference."
Laramee will be joined by first year assistant coach and Lyndon alumnus Jeffrey Blais '25.
Lyndon looks to build on a 2025 campaign that saw the Hornets finish 7-5 overall and 2-3 in Empire 8 play. They will look to break a three-year playoff drought, as their last post-season appearance came as a member of the North Atlantic Conference in 2023.
