WASHINGTON, D.C. – Penn State Harrisburg's men's tennis team opened its 2024-25 campaign with doubleheader action at Catholic on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 14. The Lions began the day with a 5-2 victory over Stevenson in neutral site action before falling to the hosts by the slimmest of margins in a 4-3 setback in the evening's final outing.
Against the Mustangs (0-2), Penn State Harrisburg took two of three doubles matches to earn the match's overall doubles point. The No. 2 team of Andrew Schreck and Derwin Merca defeated SU's duo of Garrett Warren and Honour Zan 6-4, while the No. 3 pair of Clayton Herb and John McCartney bested Stevenson's Nickolas Valis and Dominic Duncan 6-3.
In singles action, Penn State Harrisburg's Mark Hou handled Luke Appleman 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 1 matchup, while Merca came from behind to secure a 2-6, 6-3, 10-5 win over Warren in the No. 4 outing and Michael Riuino topped Nate Kelly 8-5 in the No. 6 contest.
Against Catholic, Penn State Harrisburg's top two doubles teams emerged victorious to secure the doubles point. Hou and Kevin Liang bested Lorenzo Neri and Diego Romo 6-4 in the No. 1 spot before Schreck and Merca battled to a 7-6 (7-5) win over Ben Perks and Henry Ogden in the No. 2 matchup.
Hou and Liang also picked up wins in singles action, with Hou topping Romo 6-3, 6-2 in the No. 1 outing and Liang taking a 6-2, 6-3 decision from Perks in the second spot. Herb battled in his No. 5 contest against Drew Andrianopoulas but ultimately fell 6-3, 4-6, 7-10 in three sets.
The Lions return to action at Lebanon Valley on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 25.
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg men's and women's tennis all season long on Instagram and X by following the Lions using the handle @pshbgtennis.