Box Score NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men's tennis team dropped its season opener 5-2 to a talented Temple squad on Friday evening at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center.
 
A pair of players earned victories for the Spartans: Vladisav Gorbatenko and Deniz Okyay, both playing their first dual matches in a NSU uniform.
 
Temple started the day comfortably, sweeping the opening doubles action. The Owls took that momentum into singles play, but the Spartans put up a strong fight from there.
 
Okyay took down Temple freshman Aayush Bhat 6-3, 6-3 at the No. 5 position in a battle between rookies. The Owls got back on track with straight set victories at the No. 2, 3, 4, and 6 slots.
 
Before the night was complete, Gorbatenko earned a hard fought victory on Court 1, defeating Marim Marujo 4-6, 6-4, 10-7.
 
Norfolk State returns to Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center on Feb. 7 for a showdown with crosstown rival Old Dominion.
 
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