ALTOONA, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's tennis team returned to action on Thursday with another home match in its fall schedule, and the Lions defeated non-conference opponent Geneva College 6-1 at the Adler Tennis Courts.

Penn State Altoona (2-0) fell behind early when Geneva (0-1) won two out of three in doubles. However, the Lions bounced back to win the match after they prevailed in all six singles matches, several of which went to third sets or tiebreak.

Geneva posted wins in No. 1 and No. 2 doubles to wrap up the opening point of the match. Penn State Altoona salvaged a victory in the No. 3 spot, where the duo of Wilhelm Grot (Tyrone, PA/Tyrone)/Emmett Hibbs (Richfield, PA/East Juniata) recorded a 6-4 win.

Penn State Altoona rallied to win the day, thanks to a hard-fought performance in singles play. The Lions won all six singles matches, including five that went to a third set or a tiebreak.

Nick Beard (Manns Choice, PA/Bedford) battled for a 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 10-3 win in the No. 1 singles match, and Ivan Bene (York, PA/Lancaster Country Day) came out on top in the No. 2 spot with a 6-3, 6-3 decision over his opponent. Jackson Newell (Leechburg, PA/Kiski Area) pulled off a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2) win at No. 3 singles, and Gabriel Lopez (Wilmette, IL/New Trier Township) won 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-5 in the No. 4 match. Grot and Hibbs completed the clean sweep of singles play, as Grot recorded a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 triumph in the No. 5 match and Hibbs had a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) victory at No. 6.

Penn State Altoona men's tennis concludes its brief fall schedule on Tuesday, September 16, with one more home match, as the Lions host York College (Pa.) for a 4:30 p.m. tilt at the Adler Tennis Courts.