WASHINGTON, Pa. – The West Liberty University men's tennis team battled Salem University to the wire Wednesday afternoon only to come out on the short end of a 4-3 score in non-conference action at Washington Park.

    The visiting Tigers (8-9) drew first blood with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, claiming the doubles point despite a 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles by the Hilltoppers' Derek Roehner and Joao Benvenutti.

    West Liberty (8-5) and Salem traded wins throughout the six singles matches. Benvenutti, Gianluca Gerndt and Moritz Erpel picked up straight-set nods for WLU but the Tigers were able to pull out wins at the Nos. 2, 5, and 6 singles spots to come away with the victory.

    The Hilltoppers return to Mountain East Conference action on Saturday with a 5 p.m. match against Davis & Elkins at the Wheeling Park Indoor "Bubble."