RUTLAND, Vt. -- The Castleton men's tennis team returned to action Wednesday as the Spartans dropped a 7-2 non-conference decision to Norwich the Grand Slam Tennis Center.
 
The Spartans (0-2) started slow as the Cadets (1-0) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after doubles action. Levi Williams and Rowan Kidder dropped an 8-3 decision to Alexi Gilmore and Tim Santy at the first flight while Alijah Seymour and Rafael Robles had a similar fate at third doubles, falling 8-3 to William Flowers and Jack Lepage.
 
Connor Davis and Jason Lipscomb held strong throughout but a late push from Abbie Barker and Brandon Sichak saw the Cadets grab an 8-7 (8-6) win at the second doubles flight.
 
Two Spartans came out victorious during singles play as Kidder earned a 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 win over Sichak at fourth singles. Alijah Seymour also earned a win, a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 three set decision against Flowers at fifth singles.
 
Castleton returns to action Saturday, April 3, as it takes on Southern in Little East Conference play at the Castleton Tennis Courts with a scheduled start at 1 p.m.