ALLIANCE, Ohio—Intense weather conditions and a high caliber team were enough to stifle the Franciscan men's tennis team as they lost to the undefeated University of Mount Union 7-2.

"The conditions were definitely rough," head coach Jeremy Ellis said of the wind chill temperature in the 30s. "All the guys struggled throughout since it was so cold. You could tell it affected the play a little bit but no excuses, they beat us 7-2."

Despite the weather setbacks the Franciscan doubles teams were ready to keep the season goal of starting out well. Even though only No. 1 doubles won their match, all three teams put up a fight.

The No. 1 doubles team of senior captain Paul Jarzynka and 2013 AMCC Newcomer of the Year Zachary Quiza played a high tension game that ended in a tie-breaker. They started out winning the match but the Mount Union team responded and sent them into the tie-breaker.

In the tie-breaker the Barons were down 6-3 at one point but managed to bounce back and pull out the win with a final score of 9-8(6).

"It was a little gut wrenching but fun to watch," Ellis said. "Our doubles matches were fantastic to watch. They were very close and very tight."

Also playing a tight match was the No. 2 doubles team of senior Luke Merry and sophomore David Freytag who were up for most of the match but went down 6-7 and couldn't come back losing 6-8.

In No.1 singles Jarzynka, the reigning AMCC Player of the Year beat his opponent as handily as he did when the two team's faced in September, turning out a score of 6-3, 6-2.

Ellis said that sophomore Robert Butcher also had a good match as he played a tough opponent but lost respectfully at 6-2, 6-2.

"Playing a top team like Mount Union kind of reveals our weaknesses," Ellis said. "It shows areas that we need to work on. It's good to play a match like this before we play anymore conference matches to remind us we've got to go back to work."

The Barons continue their season as they take on Muskingum on Tuesday March 25 at 4:30p.m.