HICKORY, N.C.– For the first time in program history, the No. 37 Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Tennis Team defeated Tusculum. The Bears, who lost all 12 head-to-head matches with the Pioneers prior to this afternoon, prevailed in a grueling six-hour match to improve to 8-0 at home on the season.
GAME VITALS
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 4, Tusculum 3
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (13-3, 4-2 SAC) | Tusculum (9-4, 4-2 SAC)
COACHES TAKE
"I am most proud of our guys for taking the lessons from the Coker match and using what they learned today," said Head Coach
Tom Rees. "The match was a great advertisement for college tennis and its pleasing to come out on top. The guys competed incredibly hard and did the university proud."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears ran out to an early 1-0 advantage thanks to a sweep in doubles play.
Shane O'Dea and
Mauricio Hernandez earned a 6-0 shutout win in first doubles and
Paul Lenz and
Rhodri Atkinson took a 6-4 win in the second spot.
Alex Ayguavives and
Lewis Scott completed the sweep with a 7-6 victory.
In singles action, all three matches went to a third set tiebreaker.
Tales Miranda overcame a 6-0 loss in the first set to rally for a 6-4, 6-1 win in first singles.
Josh Lazenby claimed a 6-2, 6-7, 6-2 win in third singles to give the Bears a 3-0 advantage. The Pioneers took wins in fourth and fifth singles to draw within one but Atkinson had the clincher in second singles. Atkinson outlasted Tomas Almeida earned a 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 win to secure the historic victory.
UP NEXT
The Bears will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Newberry at 2 p.m.
