The Barton Community College men's tennis team opened up the spring season Sunday losing 6-1 to NAIA No. 10 ranked Bethany College at Club 1 Fitness Center in Great Bend.  The Cougars will have a break from competition for a couple weeks before a busy last week in February.   Barton's next meet will come February 25 against Hesston College.  Matches will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Club 1 Fitness Center in Great Bend.

The Cougars faced one of the best teams in the NAIA in falling to Bethany but did manage to get the No. 1 singles win against the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's No. 15 ranked player.

In a thrilling three-set match, Barton freshman Samuel Araujo defeated Alex Sandri in a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 victory to earn Barton's lone win on the day.

"I knew we'd have our hands full today as Bethany has a very talented team with a ton of depth," said Stickney. "We have a lot of things to work on but luckily it's only early February so we have a lot of time to improve.