HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. For the second consecutive day, Methodist's men's tennis team captured a morning match before calling the day even with a loss in an afternoon bout.
Thursday morning the Monarchs defeated Wilkes (Pa.) University, 7-2, before taking to the courts in the late afternoon when Eastern Nazarene (Mass.) College rolled to an 8-1 victory.
Wednesday's matches, also non-conference contests, saw Methodist beat St. John Fisher (N.Y.) College before Warner (Fla.) University, an NAIA program, prevented the Monarchs from sweeping the day.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Wilkes, 7-2; Eastern Nazarene def. Methodist, 8-1
Records: Methodist 4-5, Wilkes 2-2, Eastern Nazarene 4-4
Locations: Van Der Meer Tennis Center (Wilkes) and Evian Tennis Center (ENC); Hilton Head Island, S.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The morning match got off to a good start for the Monarch, who captured two of three doubles points.
- Kayhahn Alikhani and Hayden Wilfong teamed up for an 8-5 win at No. 2, and the tandem of Coleman Baker and Henry Murray forged an 8-7 win at No. 3 to allow Methodist to head into singles action with a lead.
- The one-point advantage from doubles blossomed during the six singles bouts as Baker at No. 2, Jacob Oehser at No. 4, Murray at No. 5 and E.J. Stolmeijer at No. 6 won in straight sets.
- The Colonels picked up their only two singles points at Nos. 1 and 3, the latter going the distance before Jonathan White outlasted Methodist's Wilfong: 6-3, 3-6, 1-0(5).
- Eastern Nazarene broke in front in the afternoon by sweeping the doubles matches, and nearly following suit in singles play.
- Wynn Johnson at 1-singles picked up Methodist's lone point in the match against the Lions, gutting out a three-set victory over Henry Siercke: 7-6(5), 3-6, 1-0(4).
NEXT UP
Methodist leaves the Island but will play one more match on the road before returning home, taking on The Citadel on its home courts Saturday at 1 p.m. in Charleston, S.C.
