St. Louis, MO - The Judson University men's tennis team opened the 2025–26 spring season on the road Friday, falling 5–2 to No. 18 Missouri Baptist at the Spartans' home courts. Judson, which is receiving votes in the NAIA rankings, competed tough across the lineup in its first match of the new calendar year against the nationally ranked opponent.

Missouri Baptist secured the doubles point by winning two of the three doubles matches. At the top spot, Brayden Kopp and Florian Koppitsch dropped a 6–3 decision, while Joshua Bavich and Brock Dawson came up just short in a 6–4 loss.

Judson earned a win at No. 3 doubles, where Nicolas Donoso and Cesar Otondo Villafan picked up a 6–2 victory.

The Eagles answered in singles play with strong performances throughout the lineup. Brayden Kopp earned Judson's first point at No. 2 singles with a straight-set win, 6–2, 6–4.

Luca Zandboer added the second point for the Eagles at No. 6 singles, battling through three sets for a 6–3, 1–6, 10–7 win in the match tie-break.

Missouri Baptist closed out the match with wins at the remaining singles positions, including a tight contest at No. 5 and straight-set victories at the top of the lineup, sealing the 5–2 final.

Friday's match marked the season opener for Judson and served as an early test against one of the NAIA's top programs.

The Eagles return to action on February 14, when they travel to take on Prairie State.