ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – The final team to begin Capital Athletic Conference play in 2019, the Salisbury University men's tennis team began league play with an 8-1 win at St. Mary's College of Maryland on Friday afternoon.

Salisbury (8-4, 1-0 CAC) began the match with three doubles victories. Junior Matthew Ryan and freshman Ryan Santmyer picked up an 8-3 win at No. 2 while the pairs of junior Garrett Malave and sophomore Stefan Hein at No. 1, along with junior William Niessner and freshman Wayne Russell at No. 3 each won by 8-5 scores.

The Sea Gulls topped St. Mary's (3-9, 1-2 CAC) with five singles wins, getting a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 3 from Ryan while Santmyer won at No. 5 by a 6-2, 6-2 score. Malave, at No. 4, and Niessner, at No. 6 each surrendered just five games. Malave won by a 6-3, 6-2 score and Niessner won 6-2, 6-3.

Freshman Brad Pappalardo earned a 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) victory at No. 2 while Hein lost at No.1 by a 6-1, 7-5 score.

The Sea Gulls are back on court on Saturday morning, back home to host Franklin & Marshall College beginning at 11 a.m.