ST. LOUIS - Marian University men's tennis (1-1, 0-0 NACC) opened the 2017 season defeating Fontbonne 6-3 before falling to Westminster 8-1.

Marian started the match against Fontbonne strong taking two of the three doubles matches with Zachary Stanczyk and Coy Paulson winning 8-2 and the team of Danny Roe and Brandon Ruis also winning 8-2.

The Sabres used that momentum as they were able to take the 3-6 singles matches.  Spencer Braswell was able to win in a tiebreak, while Ruis, Stanczyk and Ryan Biffert were all able to sweep their way to a win.

"A big thing in the matches is that we were able to come out fast from the start," commented assistant coach Brian Ottman.  "We gained confidence with the doubles wins and were able to sustain that momentum into singles.  I was very proud on how hard our team was able to compete and the heart that they showed playing through some unusual circumstances."

Then against Westminster Ruis would earn the lone victory for Marian in No. 4 doubles, while Biffert was able to force a tie break in No. 5 singles, but ultimately fell.

Marian returns home to take on Ripon March 24 starting at 4:30 p.m. from Oshkosh, Wis.

--FightBlueFight--