MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's men's tennis team began its defense of last season's North Atlantic Conference (NAC) championship over the weekend and judging by the Lions strong performances, they're not ready to relinquish their crown just yet.

The blue and white took care of a visiting Albright squad in the 2011 season opener on Saturday, Sept. 17. Juniors Nate Tulchinsky (Hershey, PA/Hershey) , Tyler Loy (Annville, PA/Annville-Cleona) and Evgeny Matigullin (New Bloomfield, PA/Susquenita) , sophomore Khiem Do (Leola, PA/Conestoga Valley) and freshman Vishnu Gopalakrishnan (Ashburn, VA/Briar Woods) all took care of business and won their singles matches.

The teams of Warriner/Gopalakrishnan and Matigullin/Do also won their doubles matches, sealing the 7-2 overall victory for Penn State Harrisburg.

The Lions followed up Saturday's win with another the very next day. This time, it was Juniata that suffered a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Head Coach Becky Cecere's squad.

Loy and freshmen Zachry Warriner (Montrose, PA /Montrose) and Jerred Hall (Manheim, PA /Manheim Central) picked up early singles victories over their Eagle counterparts, while the teams of Tulchinsky/Hall, Cartmill/Loy and Warriner/Gopalakrishnan swept the doubles portion of the match.

The Lions will look to stay hot and keep their winning streak alive when they travel to Susquehanna on Wednesday, Sept. 20.