In order to win tough matches, the Penn State men's tennis team must learn to overcome adversity.

This was evident when the Lions dropped a gritty 5-2 match to Cornell Saturday at the Penn State Tennis Center. After losing the doubles point, the Nittany Lions were unable to claw their way back.

Making matters worse was the absence of senior team-leader Roddy Cantey, who sustained a knee injury Friday.

"I knew it would be a dogfight going into the match," Penn State men's tennis coach Jan Bortner said. "Without [the services of] Roddy, they have the edge."

The Lions dropped all three doubles matches, giving the early point to the Big Red. The lack of aggressive play from the Lions as well as a shakeup in the lineup due to Cantey's injury allowed Cornell to sweep those matches.

Singles were not too much kinder to the Lions, who took only two of the six matches. Senior Clint Keithley came out strong, quickly winning the third singles match 6-1, 6-4 against Brett McKeon.

"I played really well. It was one of the best matches I've had in a while," Keithley said. "I wanted to send a message."

For much of singles play it looked like the Lions would carry out Keithley's message, as every point for each team was a battle.

However, the depth and confidence Cornell built with an early lead prevailed and the Big Red won the fifth and sixth singles matches in straight sets.

Another bright spot for the Lions on Saturday was the singles match of freshman Ryan Berger. Playing a big role for the Lions, Berger saw action both in doubles and singles.

Picking up the second point for the Lions, Berger defeated fellow top prospect Nick Brunner, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5. Bortner was pleased with the victory, which could be a sign of things to come for collegiate tennis, as two of the top freshmen in the country battled each other for three sets.

"I didn't feel the pressure," Berger said. "It's a team game. Once you get into the heat of battle you just don't think about it."

Overall, the Lions played solidly in singles, with some matches coming down to a point here or a point there. However the doubles play needs improvement in two areas, the service play and returning volleys.

"Say we would have won doubles. Clint then puts us up two nothing. We have the momentum, relax and start going for our shots," Bortner said.

The Lions will need to work out their doubles play in order to stay with Central Florida this Friday.