By John Gallagher

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. - On Thursday, the Franciscan University men's tennis team notched their second straight of the year, a 9-0 victory over Bethany College to improve to 2-1 on their season.

At No. 2 doubles, seniors Connor Jooste and John Gallagher registered their first win of the season. The duo cruised to a fast 8-0 victory, characterized by Jooste's frequent net presence, and Gallagher's three service aces.

Team captain Jarek Sulak and sophomore Jake Haffner overcame a slow start, taking six straight games down 2-3 for the win at the No. 1 doubles spot. Smart serving from Franciscan allowed Sulak and Haffner to pull away as the match progressed, while Sulak cleaned up stray service returns at the net.

Getting their first start of the season, freshmen Christian Cappello and Joseph Suess made quick work of their No. 3 doubles counterparts. The Barons looked the part of seasoned competitors on the court, chasing down frequent lobs and finished points on their own terms at the net. Suess notched three aces in the win.

The Barons took the doubles sweep for the overall 3-0 match lead, and next took the courts for singles, sporting an alternative lineup.

At the No. 4 singles spot, singles specialist Walter Matt never wavered during his dominant 6-0, 6-0 win. "I hit the ball over the net really well," said Matt, speaking of a match in which he faced three break points, but never surrendered a single game.

While Sulak put away his No. 2 singles opponent 6-3, 6-2, Haffner was up against a smart opponent at No. 1 singles. Haffner returned well and broke serve down the stretch, keeping his groundstrokes deep and finishing points well inside the baseline.

At the No. 3 singles spot, Gallagher won a well-played match 6-0, 6-0. He finished points well and collapsed on the net, keeping rallies short. The senior also went down a breakpoint twice on his own serve but kept his backhands consistent to avoid surrendering a game.

Solid forehands and dependable slice backhands returns gave Giorgio Alexander the win at No. 5 singles. His serves were as penetrating as they've been all season, and he complemented many of them with productive trips to the net.

There was no residual rust at No. 6 singles, as freshman Luke Conrad made quick work of his Bethany College opponent. He moved well, notching twelve quick games for statement 6-0, 6-0 victory, in a match where Conrad quickly close the door on any prospective Bethany upset opportunities.

After the match, patron of the arts Stephen Bolster commented, "We really controlled the outcome today."

The Barons will next take to the courts in early March, when they travel to visit Ohio Wesleyan for a 10 a.m. showdown on March 3.