BEREA, Ohio — The Franciscan University Men's Tennis team started their spring season on the road against one of their toughest opponents. FUS lost 9-0 against Baldwin Wallace University. Inclement weather prevented the Barons from fully preparing to meet their opponents. Franciscan went into their first spring match without their head coach, Jeremy Ellis.

"We knew this was going to be an uphill battle," team manager, Bryan Martin, said. "We had to practice in Pittsburg because of the snow and rain."

Franciscan's first doubles team played hard against Baldwin Wallace. Captain Paul Jarzynka and junior Leonel Lacayo fought hard in a back and forth match that ended in an 8-6 loss. Lacayo double faulted at the end of the match to give the Yellow Jackets the win.

"It was about which team could be more opportunistic at the right time," Martin said.

The second doubles game for FUS ended in an 8-3 loss, the second highest score of the four doubles teams for the Barons. Franciscan tried to come back in their singles play but could not quite match the power from the Yellow Jackets.

Jarzynka led his team as the strongest singles player. He battled hard in his first match but lost 5-7. Afterwards, the wind went out of his sails and he fell to a 2-6 loss.

"That first match was back and forth," Martin said. "The second was equally hard-fought, but Jarzynka fell behind early and it was hard to come back."

The Barons will try to answer back against conference rival, University of Pitt.-Greensburg after nearly two weeks of full practice.

"We are going to take advantage of the long time and prepare," Martin said. "We are going to get fitter and be more match ready."