CLINTON — The Newberry men’s tennis team opened the 2012-13 season with some complications when rain pushed the start of singles play, of a 6-1 loss at Presbyterian, back nearly a week after doubles matches were completed as the Wolves and Blue Hose wrapped up their non-conference match Thursday at the Templeton Tennis Courts.

On Saturday Newberry (0-1) challenged at No. 1 doubles where junior Michael Saunders (Christchurch, New Zealand) and Vinicius Botelho (Fortaleza, Brazil) battled their Blue Hose counterparts in an 8-6 defeat. Botelho and Saunders were ranked No. 10 in the Southeast Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association in the final rankings of the 2011-12 season.

Thursday’s action in singles saw the Wolves challenge at No. 5 singles, where junior Mohammed Chakir (Rabat, Morocco) win set two against Steven Weaver before falling 12-10 in the third and deciding set. The Wolves played close in both No. 1 and No. 2 singles where Saunders and Botelho, respectively, both forced tie breaks against their opponents.

The Wolves lone point came at No. 3 singles where sophomore Carlos Nicolopulos (Valencia, Venezuela) rallied from a set down to defeat Andrew Brigham 6-4 and 6-1 in the final two sets.

Newberry’s match at Presbyterian was the only scheduled competition for the fall as the Wolves will return to action at No. 8 Lander on February 1, 2013.