MANHEIM, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall was edged by Salisbury 5-4 on Friday night in non-conference men's tennis play at Spooky Nook in Manheim. The No. 12 regionally ranked Diplomats fell to 1-2 on the season, while the No. 9 ranked Sea Gulls improved to 4-0.
The women's team also faced Salisbury following the men's match, however the contest was unable to conclude before the facility closed for the night. F&M and Salisbury will resume play at a later date, which has yet to be announced. The Sea Gulls held a 2-1 lead following doubles, while four singles matches were in action before the stoppage.
To begin the action, Doug Kaplan and Nolan Bacchieri pushed Daniel Albers and Eric Spangler to the brink, but eventually fell at the No. 1 doubles spot by an 8-6 decision. Jack Rothman and Will Samuels teamed up at the No. 2 doubles position to drop their opponents 8-4, while Vasant Rajamanickam and Hamza Pataudi played a thrilling match at No. 3 doubles, but were downed 9-8.
In singles, Kaplan was victorious from the No. 1 position, outlasting Salisbury's Albers 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6). At No. 4, Samuels also won a three-setter, defeating Shanon Gunther 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4). Rajamanickam also picked up a singles victory for F&M in the No. 4 spot, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
The Diplomats return to action when F&M heads down to Orlando, Fla. to play three different opponents over a four-day span. The first match is against Grinnell on Monday, March 16th, followed by Colby-Sawyer on Wednesday the 18th, and SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) on Thursday the 19th.
