Baltimore, Md. – The Norfolk State men's tennis team dropped its season opener 4-1 at Loyola University Maryland on Sunday, with Federico Rebecchini notching a win at No. 1 singles.
 
Coming off of a stellar junior season that saw him receive first team All-MEAC honors, Rebecchini got off to an impressive start in his senior campaign. Playing the top singles spot for the tenth time in his career, Rebecchini cruised past Skyler Gates 6-1, 6-1 to earn the Spartans a point.
 
Jeremiah Zellander lost his first match for the Spartans 6-0, 6-0 to Greyhounds No. 4 George Cavo. Roosevelt Brown III also came away empty handed in the first dual match of his college career, falling 6-0, 6-0 to Matt Cardano at No. 3 singles.
 
Junior Ibrahim Abbas was tasked with manning the No. 2 singles slot for the first time in his career, falling 6-1, 6-1 to Loyola's Edik Pribitkin. The Greyhounds won No. 5 and No. 6 singles by default.
 
NSU has over a week before they hit the court again, facing Longwood on Wednesday, Mar. 2. Their first home match of the season, the Spartans meeting with the Lancers will take place at the NSU Tennis Complex at 1 p.m.