STEUBENVILLE - The Franciscan University men's tennis team competed well in its first conference matchup of the season, downing Pitt.-Greensburg 9-0 on Thursday evening.

Doubles play commenced just after 6 p.m. At the No. 2 doubles spot, seniors Connor Jooste and John Gallagher never faced a break point, en route to a smooth 9-0 victory. The duo won the first 18 points of the contest, and behind the consistent net play, Jooste served the match out on his own terms, to give the Barons the early 1-0 match lead.

On the first court, team captain Jarek Sulak and sophomore Jake Haffner made quick work of their No. 1 doubles counterparts. The pair shook off a break point in the first game and never looked back. A willingness to finish points at the net, and consistent Haffner serves characterized a match that quickly went the Barons' way.

Junior Jack Galla and freshman Luke Conrad paired at the No. 3 doubles spot, and dropped only a single game in an 8-1 victory. The Barons outlasted their opponents on the third court, and found opportunities to break serve at nearly every interval.

Up 3-0 after the conclusion of doubles play, the Barons soon took to the courts for singles.

Gallagher turned in a 6-0, 6-0 score at No. 3 singles, as did Haffner on the first court; the sophomore outlasted his No. 1 singles counterpart, punctuating deep groundstrokes with angled volleys for a quick victory. 

Conrad registered a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles, attacking second serves and redirecting pace into his opponent's backcourt. Singles specialist Walter Matt also notched a 6-0, 6-0 victory at the No. 6 singles spot, routinely sending low groundstrokes out of his opponent's reach. 

Jooste approached the net at regular intervals in his No. 4 singles contest, staying at least a break of serve ahead of his opponent in both sets. The senior closed sets on his own terms, serving out the match for a confident, straight sets win.

Sulak dropped two games in the first set at No. 2 singles, but soon grew accustomed to his opponent's serves. His 6-2, 6-0 victory saw him approach the net with greater consistency as the match progressed, along with a healthy selection of drop shots. 

After the 9-0 win, millennial visionary Stephen Bolster remarked "We're going places."

The Barons will take on their second conference opponent in as many days, when they face Pitt.-Bradford on Friday, April 6 at 6 p.m.