BELLEVILLE, Ill. - The Spartans won one singles and one doubles match against McKendree University on Friday, but lost the contest 2-7.

Missouri Baptist was looking to come out strong with a team comprised mainly of local talent, but ran into a very tough Bearcat squad. McKendree, who fields a team of mainly eastern European players, looked very good, but were tested throughout. 

The Spartans started things off very well. The MBU team of Mike Rubinelli and Drew Morris shocked the top Bearcats doubles team of Luciano Misitrano and Alex Schunk with an 8-6 victory. After the Spartans dropped two consecutive doubles matches, McKendree gained a 2-1 match advantage.

As singles play began, thundering serves could be heard throughout Kingspoint Racquet and Tennis Club as McKendree's number one singles player, Barnabas Toth took on Spartan freshman, Drew Morris. Toth started out hot, winning the first set 6-2, but Morris did not go quietly. The Kirkwood, Mo., native played to the level of his counterpart, a junior from Hungary. Morris, armed with a big serve and loads of talent, made the experienced Toth sweat down the stretch. Morris dropped the set 5-7, but made a statement in the match.

MBU's Rubinelli also played extremely well, though losing in straight sets to Misitrano. The Bearcats rattled off five of six victories, with one exception. MBU's Ian Furey posted the lone singles win for the visiting team. The freshman came out on top after winning the first set 6-3 and losing the second 1-6 with a 6-3 tiebreak set victory over McKendree's Doug Mennerick.

Missouri Baptist dropped to 0-2 on the season, but the Rubinelli/Morris doubles combo continued its winning ways. The number one doubles duo is now 2-0 on the season after facing two phenomenal teams so far.

Missouri Baptist will head to Greenville College on Monday and will have a chance to gain its first victory there. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.