RICHMOND, Va. – Pascal Domnik picked up a third-set tiebreaker win, but the Norfolk State men’s tennis team fell to #51 Virginia Commonwealth on Friday afternoon by a 4-1 score as both teams opened up their 2015 spring seasons.

Domnik and Joseph Cohen split the first two sets at the No. 1 spot, with Domnik winning 6-4 and then Cohen taking the second set, 6-1. Domnik picked up the victory with a 10-8 third-set tiebreaker win. It marked the Spartans’ only win in the opening match of the VCU 4-1 Invitational at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.

Senior Igor Braga fell at the No. 2 singles spot, 6-4, 6-2, to Michal Voscek. Senior Daniel Grauel dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to Catalin Fifea at the third position.

Wilder Pimentel won by default at the No. 4 position for the Rams. In the only doubles match, senior Alex Killam and junior Terey Hackney lost by an 8-0 score to Jacob Svensson and Toni Batlle.

The 4-1 format includes just four singles matches and one doubles match.

NSU will play Delaware and Campbell on Saturday during the second day of the invitational.