ETTRICK, VA – The Salem International University men's tennis team dropped a close 5-4 decision against Virginia State University on Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 8) in NCAA Division II tennis action.

Virginia State's Sultan Kenes and Jonathan Fuchs defeated SIU's Christian Manalang and Nicolas Martinez at the No. 1 doubles position, 8-4, to give the Trojans an early point. The Tigers' Eugue Bour and Landon Schultz-Zwahr teamed up for a victory in the No. 2 doubles (8-6), while VSU's Blaine Davies and Keon Halley won at No. 3, 8-3.

Sultan Kenes secured a victory for VSU, (6-0, 6-0), in the No. 1 singles spot against freshman Kevin Musasia. The Trojans would also record victories in the No. 3 and No. 6 matches, with VSU's Jonathan Fuchs defeating SIU sophomore Christian Manalang, 4-6, 6-4, 10-1.

Schultz-Zwahr, Bour, and Martinez were all victorious in their singles matches as Bour (6-4, 7-5) and Martinez (6-1, 6-3) won in straight sets. 

The Tigers head to Richmond, Virginia tomorrow (Mar. 9) to face Virginia Union University at 1 p.m. The Tigers and Panthers are scheduled to play at Battery Park in Richmond, Va.

Singles competition

1. Sultan Kenes (VSU) def. Kevin Musasia (SI) 6-0, 6-0
2. Landon Schultz-Zwahr (SI) def. Marcus Smith (VSU) 6-3, 3-6, 10-0
3. Jonathan Fuchs (VSU) def. Christian Manalang (SI) 4-6, 6-4, 10-1
4. Eugene Bour (SI) def. Blaine Davies (VSU) 6-4, 7-5
5. Nicolas Martinez (SI) def. Alexzander Walker (VSU) 6-1, 6-3
6. Keon Halley (VSU) def. Nicholas Miliush (SI) 7-5, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Sultan Kenes/Jonathan Fuchs (VSU) def. Christian Manalang/Nicolas Martinez (SI) 8-4
2. Eugene Bour/Landon Schultz-Zwahr (SI) def. Marcus Smith/Alexzander Walker (VSU) 8-6
3. Blaine Davies/Keon Halley (VSU) def. Kevin Musasia/Antonio Shaw (SI) 8-3