LANCASTER, Pa. - The Millersville men's tennis team hadn't played a dual in nearly four months, but the Marauders picked up right where they left off in beating local rival Franklin & Marshall 5-2 in Saturday evening's spring season opener.
Millersville improved to 2-0, with both wins coming by an identical score. Franklin & Marshall dropped to 1-1 with the loss. The Marauders topped F&M on the strength of five singles victories.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
• While the No. 1 duo of
Carlos Martinez-Lucas and
Frank Yanni improved to 6-0 all-time in duals with a 6-2 victory, F&M picked up wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to win the match's first point.
• Millersville, however, controlled singles play. Martinez-Lucas improved to 7-4 in the No. 1 slot, beating Adrian Charchalis, 6-0, 7-5.
Frank Yanni won a first-set tiebreaker and then rolled in the second, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
Santiago Ramos bested Tristan Steffe in a three-set match-up in the No. 3 slot.
Dylan Tull scored his team-best eighth win of the season with a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 4. Millersville's No. 6,
Zach Pernia won 6-4, 6-2.
REACTION FROM MILLERSVILLE HEAD COACH MATT HELSEL
•
On how the team looked in its first match: "The team looks good. They've been sharp in practice and anxious to get on the competition court. F&M gave us a gut punch in doubles, and we deserved it. But that seemed to settle us heading into singles. I was impressed with our patience in singles. The team resisted the temptation to press, and stayed disciplined. We're excited to play in Orlando for Spring Break."
UP NEXT
• Millersville departs on March 6 for a Spring Break trip to Orlando, Fla. The Marauders play five matches against strong competition during the course of the week.
