MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – The Messiah men's tennis team fell to Penn State Harrisburg Saturday evening by a score of 5-4 overall.

The Falcons are back on the courts Friday, Oct 6 for a home match against Gettysburg College.

Doubles
The Falcons were able to win courts one and three doubles by scores of 8-6 and 8-2. Chase Wilson/Timothy Sheaffer and Ben Anspach/Luke Risser gave the Falcons a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.

Singles
Penn State's Cooper Wheeler took court one from Wilson in three sets. Wheeler was able to take the first set by a score of 6-3. However, Wilson responded with a 6-2 win in set two. Unfortunately for Wilson, Wheeler was able to take the final set 7-5 and tie the overall match at 2-2.

Court two was taken by Messiah's Michael Niemi in three sets. Niemi defeated Penn State's Andrew Schreck by scores of 4-6, and 6-2. Niemi dominated with a 6-0 performance in the final set to give the Falcons the 3-2 overall match lead.

Courts three, four, and five would be the catalyst for Penn State. They would go on to take all three courts to secure the 5-4 overall match win.

On court three, Ben Anspach was able to take set one with a score of 6-4. Owen Ou would defeat Anspach in the next two sets, with scores of 6-3, and 6-4. Courts four and five would end in two sets, as Derwin Merca would defeat Messiahs' Luke Risser 6-4 and 6-3. Vik Petal would defeat Greg Valdez by scores of 6-0 and 6-1 on court four.

Elijah Noll would dominate on court five for the Falcons, winning in two sets 7-5 and 6-0. Unfortunately, it would not be enough as Penn State would take the overall 5-4 match win.

What's Up Next
The Falcons fall to 0-2 on the young season but will look to bounce back Friday, Oct 6 at home against Gettysburg.