RICHMOND, Va. Methodist's NCAA Division III men's tennis team stepped up in Divisions the past two days, taking on host University of Richmond (D-I) Friday afternoon following a doubleheader Thursday afternoon at D-II Barton College.
The Monarchs weren't able to come away with any upset victories -- falling to Richmond 7-0, and to Barton 5-2 and 6-1 -- but they were definitely not bruised and battered for their efforts.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Richmond def. Methodist 7-0; Barton def. Methodist 5-2 and 6-1
Records: Methodist 0-7; Richmond 1-2; Barton 4-1
Locations: Barton Tennis Complex, Wilson, N.C.; Westhampton Courts, Richmond, Va.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Thursday's opener against Barton included some of the Monarchs' best tennis in the two-day stretch.
- Two of the doubles bouts were only service-break losses. Trent Harner and Coleman Baker just missed their upset bid at No. 2 with a 7-5 loss, while Jordan Theron and Patrick Newsome on the 1-doubles court lost by only a 6-4 margin.
- Theron and Harner captured Methodist's points in the match, winning in straight sets at Nos. 1 and 3, respectively. Theron took down Barton's Diego Agudelo 6-4 and 6-0, with Harner earning a win over Matteo Savio by scores of 6-3 and 6-4.
- The late afternoon match at Barton saw only Henry Blanco earn a point for the Monarchs, taking a 7-6, 0-6, 1-0 (12-10) win from Gustavo Camelo at 1-singles.
- Baker played a solid singles match Friday at Richmond, pushing his opponent to a third set after winning the opening set, 6-4. Richmond's Alaister Burke battled back, though, to take the second and third sets, 3 and 1, for the win.
NEXT UP
The Monarchs will entertain USA Athletic Conference foe North Carolina Wesleyan in a rare non-conference meeting on Saturday, March 6. Methodist and the Battling Bishops will play a doubleheader scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. starts at the Clayton Tennis Center.
