NEWBURGH, N.Y. - The Bard College men's tennis team opened the 2013-14 season with a narrow 5-4 loss to Mount Saint Mary College on Thursday night.

Complete results

The Raptors lost two of the three doubles matches - the pairing of Ted Laport and Billy Kwon picked up the only victory - and needed to win four of the six singles matches to pull out a victory.

Bard's second seed won at No. 2 singles in straight sets, as did Laport at No. 4 and freshman Max Meynig at No. 5. At No. 3, Philip Poznansky rallied to force a third set, but eventually lost 6-0, 1-6, 6-1 to Mike Balokoz (Milford, CT). And at No. 6, Lertola fought back but fell to Joe Borden (Newburgh, NY) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, clinching the win for the Knights (1-0).

The Raptors will next begin Liberty League play with a match at Union College on Tuesday afternoon.