ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University men's tennis team opened its spring season with a 5-4 victory over Shaw University late Saturday afternoon at the Westwood Racquet Club. The Lakers improved to 3-1 overall which includes their fall portion of the schedule.

Junior Travis Beck and freshman Nenad Terzic teamed up for an 8-5 win at #1 doubles to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. The Bears responded with a victory at #2 when the team of Bach Tran and Juan Sanchez edged the Laker duo of sophomore Conor McCooey and freshman Andoni Marquez, 9-8 (7-5). 

Mercyhurst earned a forfeit win at #3 doubles to take a 2-1 lead entering singles action.

Terzic got the ball rolling for the Lakers in singles with a straight-sets win over Shaw's Gafur Sirojiddinov, 6-1 and 6-2. After Beck lost in three sets at #2, junior Robert Rizea clinched the Laker victory at #3 with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Diego Choque. The Bears won at #4 and at #5 but had to forfeit at #6 with McCooey earning the victory.

The Lakers will return to action on Wednesday, February 18 when they travel to Division I St. Bonaventure University. The match is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. in Olean, New York.

Mercyhurst University 5, Shaw University 4
Doubles Competition
1. Travis Beck / Nenad Terzic (MU) defeated Diego Choque / Sergio Cuertas (SHAW) - 8-5
2. Bach Tran / Juan Sanchez (SHAW) defeated Conor McCooey / Andoni Marquez (MU) - 9-8 (7-5)
3. Ross Molinaro IV / Conor McCooey (MU) won by forfeit
Singles Competition
1. Nenad Terzic (MU) defeated Gafur Sirojiddinov (SHAW) - 6-1, 6-2
2. Sergio Cuertas (SHAW) defeated Travis Beck (MU) - 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Robert Rizea (MU) defeated Diego Choque (SHAW) - 7-5, 6-2
4. Juan Sanchez (SHAW) defeated Andoni Marquez (MU) - 6-4, 6-4
5. Bach Tran (SHAW) defeated Ross Molinaro IV (MU) - 6-0, 1-6, 7-5
6. Conor McCooey (MU) won by forfeit