The Tiffin University Men's Tennis Team had a convincing win over Lake Superior State University 7-2 on Saturday morning in their GLIAC opener. The Dragons started off hot winning 2 of 3 doubles matches with one coming as a close 8-6 victory. The two lone losses for the Dragons came at number 2 doubles with Nicholas Almeida and Kyle Johnson losing a close 8-5 match and Johnson having to retire at number 1 singles due to injury. The Dragons had strong singles play all around with convincing victories coming at 2, 5 and 6 singles. The Dragons will play another home match against Michigan Tech Sunday, February 21st at 10 am.
1st Doubles
TU - Elio Lezama Perez / Pierre Frery vs. LS - Mateasz Izycki / Jake Prime
In a thrilling match TU pulls out an 8-6 victory thanks to great hands at the net and dominating serve returns. TU broke early on in the match only to relinquish the break shortly thereafter. It wasn't until several back to back stunning returns did the Dragons go up a break for good. At 7-6 Lezama held at love thanks to outstanding serves and great volleys by Frery.
2nd Doubles
TU - Kyle Johnson / Nicholas Almeida vs. LS- Ieuan Lister / Grant Link
Seniors Kyle Johnson and Nicholas Almeida lost a nail biter 8-5 that was decided by a few key points that just didn't go the Dragons' way.
3rd Doubles
TU - Luis Ludena / Agustin Mangone vs. LS - TJ Myers / Hunter Koster
TU won third doubles in dominating fashion by a score of 8-2. The Dragons rolled through their first few service games led by 2nd year freshman Luis Ludena. With a combination of his power and the finesse of Agustin Mangone, the Dragons got out in front and never looked back.
Singles
1st
TU - Kyle Johnson vs. LS - Mateasz Izycki
An intense match concluded in one of the worst ways possible, with an injury. Kyle Johnson was up 6-4 and on serve in the second set when an injury ended his match prematurely. This was Johnson's 1st Singles debut this season.
2nd
TU - Luis Ludena vs. LS - Jake Prime
Ludena picked up where he left off in doubles with a 6-1, 6-3 decision against Jake Prime of LSSU. Ludena powered through the match with precision and mobility while blasting first serves throughout the entire match.
3rd
TU - Elio Lezama Perez vs. LS - Grant Link
Tough matches are not only decided by skill level, but by mental toughness and Elio Lezama proved that in his match. After holding serve to win their first doubles match, Lezama came through with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over LSSU's Grant Link. Lezama was constantly challenged throughout the second set until a late break allowed him to finish his singles match with the win.
4th
TU - Pierre Frery vs. LS - Ieuan Lister
After a hard fought first set victory, Pierre Frery cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over LSSU's Ieuan Lister. Frery was able to capitalize early and often in the second set to claim another singles victory for the Dragons.
5th
TU - Agustin Mangone vs. LS - Hunter Koster
Dominating in the GLIAC is nothing new for sophomore Agustin Mangone and nothing has changed from last season. Mangone won convincingly at 5 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 decision over LSSU's Hunter Koster. Mangone played to his strengths while getting breaks early and often.
6th
TU - Nicholas Almeida vs. LS - TJ Myers
Nicholas Almeida claimed a victory at the revolving door of 6 singles for the Dragons. Almeida got the call to play 6 today and came through when the team needed him. Almeida won a 6-2, 6-0 match over LSSU's TJ Myers. After going up early Almeida played aggressively and never looked back, striking early in both sets.
