SUMTER, S.C.  The 2021 schedule for Methodist's men's tennis team opened at the Citadel Winter Shootout, where the Monarchs kicked off the event Saturday morning with a 6-3 loss to their hosts from The Citadel.

THE ESSENTIALS
Event: Citadel Winter Shootout
Location: Palmetto Tennis Center; Sumter, S.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Methodist jumped in front of the Bulldogs with a pair of victories in doubles action. Jordan Theron teamed with Patrick Newsome at 1-doubles and the duo pulled out a 9-8 victory. It was Luke Laney and Henry Murray at No. 3 adding another Methodist win with a 9-7 triumph.
• The Bulldogs rallied in singles play, though, earning the match victory with five wins in the six singles bouts.
• Theron scored the lone singles win for Methodist, taking a 6-4, 7-5 decision at No. 1 over Zvonko Bencedic.
• The Monarchs were close to upsetting the Bulldogs, however, as Murray at No. 4, E.J. Stolmeijer at 5 and Hayden Wilfong at 6 each forced deciding third sets of their Citadel opponents.
• Methodist was scheduled to also play Georgia Southern University at the Shootout, but that match was rained out.

NEXT UP
Methodist will travel to Elon University for a non-conference match against the Division I Phoenix on Thursday, February 18.