LOCKPORT, Ill. --- University of St. Francis opened up the spring portion of its season on Sunday morning dropping a 6-1 decision to NCAA I Western Illinois University at Challenge Fitness.

USF (1-1) came up just short in its bid to secure the lone doubles point to open the match. The Saints earned a 9-8 (8-6) win at No. 2 doubles courtesy of seniors Jacob Quigley (Saint Xavier University/Joliet, IL) and Jakub Szymanski (Bethany College (KS)/Poznan, Poland). Junior Eddie Semik (Marian Catholic H.S./Park Forest, IL) and sophomore Andres Stecher (Pestalozzi H.S./Buenos Aires, Argentina) also went to a tie-breaker at No. 3 doubles, but could not outlast the team of Alejandro Buceta and Ben Yue falling 9-8 (7-3).

Western Illinois (1-1) went on to pick up an 8-5 win in the No. 1 spot to gain the upper hand after doubles play.

Freshman Mark Zubov (St. Petersburg H.S./St. Petersburg, Russia) posted USF's only singles victory claiming a 6-1, 7-5 win over Patrick Hammers in the No. 2 position.

The Saints are off until Feb. 19 when they return to Challenge Fitness to take on Illinois Wesleyan University at 1 p.m.