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Messiah Threesome Keeps Susquehanna At Bay, 6-3
Senior Sam Shorts was one of three Falcons to go unbeaten on the day at Susquehanna.

Selinsgrove, PA — An undefeated day of tennis from sophomore Jansen Hein, senior Sam Shorts and junior Luke Ruch helped Messiah to its third consecutive win Wednesday afternoon, as the Falcons recorded a 5-4 team decision over host Susquehanna University’s James W. Garrett Sports Complex.

Even though Messiah (6-6) got a win at number six singles from freshman Adam Sheir (a 6-2, 6-7 (3-6), 10-4 marathon decision), it would not need it. Hein, Shorts and Ruch combined to account for five of the Falcons’ total points, providing the visitors with their most dominant tennis of the afternoon.

Hein won his third straight match at the top singles position, turning away the Crusaders’ William Mellor by a 6-1, 6-0 count. Shorts captured a 6-2, 6-1 win at the number two singles flight over Susquehanna’s Matt Quadrini, while Ruch cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 decision at the three singles slot.

Hien and Shorts previously teamed for an 8-1 blasting of the Crusaders’ top doubles team, and Ruch paired with freshman Mike Elliott for an 8-5 win at the number two flight.

Susquehanna was able to secure its three points in tennis of attrition, as the Crusaders won a 9-8 (7-6) decision at the number three doubles flight before taking a pair of three-set tie-breakers at five and six singles: A 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 decision in the former and a 3-6, 7-5, 10-8 decision in the latter.

“It was good to get a team win, and Jansen, Sam and Luke all played very good tennis,” said Sheila Bush, Messiah head coach. “We would have liked to finish a bit stronger toward the bottom half of our lineup, but these are the types of experiences that will make us better in the future.”

Messiah will not have long to wait for its next opportunity, as the squad returns to MAC Commonwealth play tomorrow afternoon. The Falcons will host Albright College at the Messiah College Tennis Complex for a 3:30 p.m. tilt.