ST. JOSEPH -- The Missouri Valley College men's tennis team had only had four outdoor practices leading up to its spring season opener Wednesday at St. Joseph.

If that wasn't enough of a hindrance, then there was the Vikings' opponent: Northwest Missouri State, ranked 31st in NCAA Division II and coming off an appearance in the national tournament. The Bearcats easily blanked Valley, 9-0.

"We definitely didn't play out best, but -- considering the struggles we have had with getting outside -- that is to be expected," remarked MVC coach Ryan Carney. "Northwest (2-1) has an outstanding team ... one of the best teams we play all year."

Valley's closest match came at No. 6 singles, where freshman Diego Malaga -- one of three Peruvians on the Vikings' roster -- pushed freshman Giovanni Auricchio in the second set of a 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) loss.

There was also some competitive hitting at No. 1 singles, but 'Cats senior Jake Saulsbury -- an all-MIAA first-teamer who was 11th in the ITA doubles rankings last season -- got past freshman Lorenz Pestinger, 6-2, 6-4.

The Vikings didn't win more than two games in any other set, including 8-2 losses at the top two doubles spots filled by the teams of senior Eugenio Huerta and freshman Alonso Marroquin and Pestinger and freshman Derek Gillilan of Higginsville.

Valley (0-1) will have a chance to get some extended playing and practice time next week when it heads south to warmer climes for the Spring Break Tournament at Hilton Head, S.C.