COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Short-handed Ursinus gave Franklin & Marshall a battle in the teams' Centennial Conference opener on Saturday, but the Diplomats were too much in a 9-0 sweep.

Despite missing two of their regulars, the Bears (6-3, 0-1) were competitive, especially on the doubles courts. Sophomore Connor DeFaber-Schumacher and freshman Matt Fontanese challenged Isaac Salas and Zack Levin to an 8-6 final at number two.

Senior Max Oberholtzer and junior Paul Vecchio lost an 8-5 pro set to Jack Rothman and Sam Bellersen on the top court, while Andrew Pace and Will Samuels held off junior Jake Lachowicz and freshman Ryan Jang by the same score at number three.

Oberholtzer held a 4-3 first-set lead on Rothman at number one singles before succumbing to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat. Vecchio and DeFaber-Schumacher each stayed tight with Salas and Levin, respectively, in matching 6-3, 6-4 finals.

The men's tennis team continues conference action at home against Swarthmore on Thursday, March 29.