The men's tennis team has played 11 meets in the last two weeks, the last of which a 6-3 loss to Maryland on Saturday.

"This was just not a good performance on our part," Coach Jan Bortner said.

Bortner cited three factors that made a difference in the matches: inexperience, mental toughness and the weather.

The Lions played outside after playing several matches inside; some of the players didn't adjust. Maryland was able to make the adjustment and come out ahead.

"Outside tennis is a slower more patient game. You have to work the ball harder," Bortner said. "A lot of our younger guys tried to go for a little bit too much, too early."

The only singles win for the Lions was in the No. 6 singles match. Sophomore Sean Snee beat Mark Ortiz, 6-4, 6-3.

Maryland swept the rest of the singles downing the Lions' top five players. Sophomore Mark Price lost 4-6, 7-6, 6-7 to Maryland's No. 1, Marco Turra. Maryland Greg O'Connor beat senior co-captain Dave Schoenly 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.

Maryland's parade continued with Jamie Ashworth defeating senior co-captain Scott Pickering, 6-4, 6-3. Jeremy Loomis surpassed No. 4 Corey Goldstein 6-2, 6-1. Freshman Greg Gaunt lost to Juan Coto, 6-3, 6-3.

"Some of our inexperience showed," Bortner said. "Some of our players didn't adjust."

Penn State won two of the three doubles matches. Price and Schoenly took on the No. 1 team of Turra and Coto. Trailing 0-3, Turra and Coto defaulted due to an injury.

Sophomore Marc Payne and Pickering combined for the Lions' other doubles win. They got the better of Maryland's No. 3 team of Ashworks and Adam Pratt, recording a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The Lions' other doubles team, Gaunt and Chad Skorupka, lost to O'Connor and Loomis 6-4, 6-1.

Penn State will be at home on Wednesday to host Swarthmore at 3:30 at the Indoor Tennis Club. Swarthmore is the defending Division III champion, and boasts a strong returning nucleus.

"We're going to have our hands full," Bortner said. "They have the edge on depth and talent."