Box Score PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Norfolk State men's tennis team nearly pulled off a thrilling victory against a tough nonconference opponent on Friday evening, falling 4-3 to Temple at Drexel Tennis Courts.
 
The Spartans (1-2) and Owls (3-3) split singles play, before going back-and-forth in the deciding doubles action. Both teams won a match during the doubles portion, before Temple pulled out the victory on Court 1 in a tiebreaker to secure the match.
 
Dante Russo handed Deniz Okyay the first singles loss of his season, defeating the NSU sophomore 6-4, 7-6 (1) at the No. 3 position. Jakub Solarski picked the Spartans right back up, besting Maj Kolaric 6-1, 7-5 on Court 2.
 
Portuguese senior Martim Marujo took down junior Vladisav Gorbatenko 6-3, 6-1 at the top spot in the lineup, as Temple took a 2-1 lead. Frederick McRae took down Pranav Nemani 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 4 slot, evening the match again.
 
Erden Er emerged victorious in a seesaw battle against Boris Lunin on Court 5, coming away with a 6-3, 2-6, 10-5 triumph. Freshman Michele Elia came up clutch at the No. 6 position for the Spartans, though, beating Harshith Pennabadi 6-4, 7-6 (1) to keep Norfolk State alive.
 
Heading to doubles with the score tied 3-3, both teams refused to slow down as the match surpassed a four-hour duration. Solarski and McRae came up with a 6-3 win on Court 3, but Elia and Lunin fell by the same score on Court 2. The evening came down to the No. 1 doubles match, with Temple squeaking by 7-6 (8).
 
Norfolk State remains on the road on Saturday, facing Wagner at 6 p.m.
 
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