NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – Fueled by the number one tandem of senior Kyle Lahman (North Manchester, Ind.) and sophomore Stratton Smith (New Palestine, Ind.) and the freshman combination of Spencer Thomas (Yorktown, Ind.) and Garrett Bear (Indianapolis, Ind.), Manchester University opened its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference meeting with visiting Transylvania University on a high note Saturday, April 18.

With Lahman and Smith picking up a second straight win and Thomas and Collis closing within a victory of .500, the Black and Gold (2-8 overall, 1-4 HCAC) held a 2-1 lead at the end of the doubles section. However, the Pioneers, moving to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in the league, took advantage of five straight-set singles wins and claimed the number three doubles match for a 6-3 decision at MU's outdoor courts.

The Black and Gold resume conference play Wednesday, April 22. Anderson University comes to North Manchester for a 4 p.m. first serve.

NOTES: Smith, gaining his third singles' victory at number two, upped a modest win skein to two … The Spartans remain just a dual out of the top six on the loop standings. MU, in seventh, trails a fifth-place tie between Mt. St. Joseph University and TU.