Rome, GA – The No. 8 Patriots men's tennis team opened play Friday morning at the NAIA ITA National Indoor Tournament, falling 5–0 to No. 2 Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies men's tennis at the Rome Tennis Center in Rome. 

Georgia Gwinnett secured the early momentum by sweeping doubles play. The Patriots' top tandem of Darius Kuster and Gabriele Solda dropped a 6–1 decision at No. 1 doubles, while the No. 2 pairing of Manuel Fernandez Guede and Thibaud Vivier also fell 6–1. The third doubles match was left unfinished with both teams tied at three apiece. 

In singles action, the Grizzlies clinched the match with straight-set victories across the middle and lower courts. Jacopo Cianfarini battled Luis Francisco Sampedro at No. 2 singles but came up short 6–1, 6–2. Yerassyl Yerdilda defeated Solda 6–3, 6–1 at No. 3, while Juan Carlos Garcia earned a 6–3, 6–4 win over Vivier at No. 4. At No. 5, Kesia Roi fought hard before falling 6–4, 6–1 to Francisco Perez Esnaola. 

Several matches were still in progress when the contest was halted. At No. 1 singles, Kuster was competing in the second set against Santiago Villarruel, and Mohammed Abuzed Saber was locked in a tight battle at No. 6. 

The Patriots move to 2–2 on the season and will look to bounce back as tournament play continues tomorrow morning, February 14, at 8:00 AM. 

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