RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Mercyhurst University men's tennis team closed out a rough weekend falling in another close contest, dropping a 5-4 decision to the Shaw Bears.  The loss placed the Lakers' record on the season at 2-6.

Robert Rizea turned in the most impressive performance for Mercyhurst, taking a 6-2, 6-3 win over Samuel Padilla in the No. 3 single match.  He would also pick up one of the Lakers' two doubles win, as he teamed up with Mauricio Canton Diaz to take a hard-fought No. 2 match 8-6 over Andre Monti and Juan Sanchez.

The Lakers will return to action on Friday, March 1, as they travel to Winston-Salem State University for a 2 p.m. duel with the Rams.

Singles competition
1. C. Silva (SHAW-M) def. Jorn van der Veer (MU-M) 6-1, 6-1
2. S. Cuartas (SHAW-M) def. Travis Beck (MU-M) 6-4, 6-1
3. Robert Rizea (MU-M) def. S. Padilla (SHAW-M) 6-2, 6-3
4. J. Sanchez (SHAW-M) def. Mauricio Canton Diaz (MU-M) 6-1, 6-0
5. A. Monti (SHAW-M) def. Eric Drusko (MU-M) 6-2, 6-1
6. Kyle Hosier (MU-M), default win

Doubles competition
1. C. Silva/S. Cuartas (SHAW-M) def. Jorn van der Veer/Travis Beck (MU-M) 8-4
2. Robert Rizea/Mauricio Canton Diaz (MU-M) def. A. Monti/J. Sanchez (SHAW-M)
3. Mike Vinopal/Kyle Hosier (MU-M), default win

Match Notes
Mercyhurst University 2-6
Shaw University 3-1