LIMA, Ohio –  On Friday afternoon, the Capital University men's tennis team was defeated in their season-opening match by a final score of 8-1. Hosts Ohio Northern University improved to 2-0 on the year with the win. 

Graeme Green scored the lone Capital point with a victory at first singles. Green traded sets with former OAC Player of Year Vinh Thai before outlasting the Polar Bear topman 10-6 in the decisive third set. The loss was Vinh's first in conference play since 2019. ONU swept through the remaining singles matches.

Andrew Cochran ousted Ven Naik (6-3, 6-1), Zach Beaschler defeated Allan Huang (6-0, 6-0), Kavya Desai knocked off Josh Aude (6-1, 6-0), Nate Hartzler lost to Isaac Spar (6-2, 6-0), and Aaron Askew dropped his match to Joji Imatomi (6-1, 6-1).

Capital didn't fare well in the doubles matches either. Green and Naik fell 8-3, Huang and Aude dropped 8-0, and Hartzler and Askew lost 8-3.

The match was Capital's first since May 1, 2018. Capital was unable to field a team in 2019 and its 2020 return was stalled due to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Crusaders will return to Bexley on April 10th as they host Otterbein University for a 1 p.m. start time.