SALEM, Va. – The Hampden-Sydney College tennis team dropped its season opener on the road to Roanoke College, 8-1, Saturday afternoon in Salem in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action. The Maroons (1-0, 1-0 ODAC) swept the three doubles matches before winning five of the six singles. Freshman Bryson Alley/Charlottesville picked up a straight-set win at number six singles.

"Credit to Roanoke. They played a great match," said head coach Byron Balkin, "We needed to sustain our level of intensity in doubles all the way through and let up just enough to let them through.

Senior Andrew Donelson/McLean won the first set at number two singles before falling in a match tiebreak. Junior Tyler Brice/Rocky Mount, NC nearly pushed for a match tiebreak at the top singles spot before falling, 6-3, 6-4.

"We are walking away with a lot to learn from and will prepare for this coming Wednesday," added Balkin.

The Tigers (0-1, 0-1 ODAC) continue their road trip to open the season when they face the first of two straight NCAA Division I opponents in Longwood on Wednesday, February 24 at 4 p.m. in Farmville.