Fordham Men’s Tennis had a rough time in Fairfax, Va. this weekend as they dropped both their matches to the University of Richmond and George Mason University in crucial Atlantic 10 play.

Starting off on Saturday, the Rams were convincingly defeated by the Richmond Spiders, 4-0. The incomplete score was a result of multiple matches having to be left unfinished as a result of “very tough conditions” according to head coach David Slater. The final, however, shows a complete defeat for the Rams who opened up play by losing two out of three matches and dropping the doubles point. The Rams then lost the only three singles matches that were able to be completed. Despite the rough read on the box score, Slater sees a silver lining in the defeat.

“Playing these types of matches can be tough when the result is 4-0 but all the matches were close,” said Slater.

Every singles match went to a decisive third set, and, unfortunately for the Rams, Richmond held strong, resulting in their victory.

Moving on, the Rams played a much tighter match the following Sunday, but ultimately fell to George Mason, 4-3.

While the weather held up, the Rams couldn’t quite squeak by the Patriots despite a strong start, which saw Fordham take the doubles point after wins by graduate student Quinn Fender and junior Nicholas Kanazirev, 6-3, and freshmen duo Dhillon Virdee-Oakley and Sampras Rakotondrainibe, 6-4.

The Rams then pushed the Patriots to the ropes thanks to singles victories by both Fender (6-7, 6-4, 6-3) and Rakotondrainibe (6-4, 6-2), but couldn’t clinch the victory as both the fourth and fifth singles matches went to a winner-take-all final third set.

“We couldn’t have played them any closer,” said Slater after the loss. “But the players gave everything they had. We are just a couple of points away from coming away with a win. Great job from the team.”

Next up on the docket for the 5-10 Rams is a Thursday showdown in Worcester against the College of the Holy Cross, who currently sit at 4-8. The Rams will look to get back in the win column after dropping four of their last five.