GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's tennis team began its spring 2025 season on Sunday afternoon, when the Lions defeated non-conference opponent Saint Vincent College 5-2 at the Greensburg Racquet Club.

Playing in its first match since last October, the Lions (4-1) returned to action in strong fashion, dealing St. Vincent (7-1) its first loss of the season. Penn State Altoona's win was keyed by the Lions taking five out of six in singles play.

The Bearcats established an early lead in the match by winning two out of three in doubles to notch the day's first point. Penn State Altoona's lone win in doubles play came in the No. 2 spot, where the duo of Gabriel Lopez (Wilmette, IL/New Trier Township)/Nick Beard (Manns Choice, PA/Bedford) came out on top by a 6-3 decision to secure their second win of the season together.

Penn State Altoona surged ahead of St. Vincent in singles play, where the Lions won five of six. Casey Hess (Annville, PA/Annville-Cleona) won the No. 1 match 6-1, 6-4 for his third victory of the season, and Andrew Chronister (York, PA/Dallastown) pulled out a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 triumph at No. 2 to improve to 4-0. Jackson Newell (Leechburg, PA/Kiski Area) seized a 4-6, 6-4, 10-7 victory in the No. 4 match for his fourth win of the season, and Lopez clinched Penn State Altoona's match win in the No. 5 spot, where he prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 13-11 for his first collegiate singles win. Wilhelm Grot (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone) picked up his third victory of the season in the No. 6 match, where he secured a 6-4, 1-6, 10-2 win.

Next up, Penn State Altoona men's tennis will host non-conference opponent Juniata College for a match on Saturday, March 1, at 4:30 p.m. at Gorilla House Gym in Altoona.