Marion, AL—A brief half-hour rain delay failed to put a damper on the season's exhibition opener for the Marion Military Institute Tigers as they vaulted past the visiting Meridian Community College Eagles, 7-2.

The Tigers took an early 2-1 lead in doubles play with two wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.  The No. 2 doubles team of Adam Bahney and Max Holloway opened the floodgates for Marion with its 8-4 win.  Marion's second point of the afternoon was supplied by the No. 3 doubles duo of Xavier Bell and Blake McDonald.  They secured their point with an 8-6 score.  Marion's first doubles team of Andrew Wright and Harry Foster lost a narrow 8-6 battle.

The Tigers claimed five of the six singles matches, winning five of those matches in straight sets.  At Flight 2 singles, Harry Foster lowered the boom, 6-0, in the second set after narrowly escaping with a 7-6 (4) first-set win.  Other singles winners for Marion included Andrew Wright, Patrick Ryder, Xavier Bell, and Max Holloway.

In perhaps the match of the day, Marion's Adam Bahney lost a fine and well-played match to Meridian's Jason Pimenta, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 1 singles.

The Tigers will now participate in the 2015 Southern JUCO USTA/ITA Small College Regional Championship, which will be held at the Northeast Park Tennis Center in Meridian, MS.  Play will commence on Wednesday, Sept. 16 and culminate with championship play on Saturday, Sept. 19.