The Men's Tennis Team started off their spring break trip with a loss to Bluefield State 9-0. The Dragons all fought hard with several matches being closely decided by a few key points. The Dragons will continue their spring trip down to Hilton Head where they will play several teams from all around the United States.
1st Doubles
TU - Lezama/Frery vs. BSC - Gud/Pulido
The score doesn't always correctly describe the type of match that was on display and that was the case against Bluefield. Freshmen duo Frery/Lezama dropped their 1st Doubles match 8-2 against a tough competitor. The Dragons played well, but costly volley errors were ultimately their downfall.
2nd Doubles
TU - Ludena/Almeida vs. BSC - Carey/Yuldashev
In a new tandem at 2nd Doubles for the Dragons the pair of Ludena/Almeida competed well, but fell short in their comeback 8-5. The Dragons got behind early and tried to dig themselves out of the hole by continuing their aggressive play style. Unforced errors proved to be the Dragons' downfall as that is what got them behind early.
3rd Doubles
TU - Mangone/Fernandes vs. BSC - Braem/Pickering
In a second time pairing and likely a permanent home for both Fernandes and Mangone, the Dragons' 3rd Doubles team fell 8-6 in a nail biter. The Dragons kept the match close, only losing by a single break of serve which proved to be the difference. In an overall solid match, the Dragons closed the net well, but a few key points that didn't go their way was the costly difference maker for the team.
1st Singles
TU - Luis Ludena vs. BCS - Platon Gud
In a hard fought bout that saw two contenders going back and forth all match, the Dragons fell 6-2, 6-2. Ludena battled hard and came up short on a few key points throughout the match. Several games went to deuce that didn't go Ludena's way.
2nd Singles
TU - Elio Lezama Perez vs. BCS - Jacob Carey
Elio Lezama Perez is a hard worker that played a fantastic player Saturday in Bluefield State's Jacob Carey. Carey was in control most of the match with Lezama having few opportunities to take advantage. Lezama served well, but the early breaks proved to be too much to overcome in the 6-1, 6-2 loss.
3rd Singles
TU - Pierre Frery vs. BCS - Anthony Braem
In a match that saw two French born players, the Dragons fought hard, but came up short. TU's Frery lost 8-3 to Braem in a quick eight game pro set due to the match being decided. Frery fought hard, but Braem had all the right answers to combat him on the court.
4th Singles
TU - Agustin Mangone vs. BCS - Aziz Yuldashev
Mangone was defeated by Bluefield State's Aziz Yuldashev 8-3. Both players fought hard, but Yuldashev was able to overpower Mangone for the pro set decision.
5th Singles
TU - Nicholas Almeida vs. BCS - Ignacio Pulido
TU's Almeida dropped a close 8-4 match that showed the senior playing competitive tennis the entire day. Almeida played tough tennis, blasting returns back and forth. Ultimately Pulido had the answers for Almeida and the Dragons dropped another match.
6th Singles
TU - Victor Fernandes vs. BCS - Conner Pickering
In another close match TU's Fernandes dropped his 6th Singles match 8-4. Fernandes played a tough match, pounding shots back and forth with Pickering as they were equally matched until Pickering pulled ahead with an early break. The redeeming quality for Fernandes was a fantastic between the legs 'tweener' shot that he made and ended up winning the point.
