ABILENE -- Needing a win to possibly move up to No. 2 in the NCAA Division II South Central Region rankings, the ACU men's tennis team let one slip away Saturday morning as the Wildcats dropped a 5-4 decision to St. Edward's at the Eager Tennis Center.
The loss drops the Wildcats to 13-10 on the season, while St. Edward's improves to 8-9. St. Edward's entered the match ranked No. 2 in the region while ACU entered the match at No. 3 in the region. ACU returns to action next Wednesday with a big match at Lone Star Conference rival Cameron, which is ranked No. 5 in the region.
The match turned at No. 3 doubles where ACU's duo of
Alfredo Desiati and
Bryan Joiner led the St. Edward's team of Bernard Lancaster and Justin Raiti, 7-4, and were serving for the win that would cut St. Edward's lead to 2-1. But Lancaster and Raiti rallied to win the match, 9-8, to take a 3-0 lead after doubles play.
St. Edward's then claimed singles wins at Nos. 1 and 2 where Ned Boone and Brett Powers beat
Eldad Campbell and
John Strahl, respectively, to nail down the victory.
St. Edward's 5, Abilene Christian 4
Singles
1. Ned Boone, SEU, def.
Eldad Campbell, ACU, 6-4, 7-6
2. Brett Power, SEU, def.
John Strahl, ACU, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
3.
Alfredo Desiati, ACU, def. Justin Raiti, SEU, 4-7, 6-3, 3-1 (ret.)
4.
Luke Hawk, ACU, def. Mick Walter, SEU, 6-3, 6-3
5.
Bryan Joiner, ACU, def. Boris Barrios, SEU, 6-3, 6-2
6.
Brett Proctor, ACU, def. Ryan Wiggins, SEU, 6-3, 6-3
Doubles
1. Walter-Barrios, SEU, def. Hawk-Strahl, ACU, 8-5
2. Powers-Boone, SEU, def. Campbell-Proctor, ACU, 8-5
3. Bernard Lancaster-Raiti, SEU, def. Joiner-Desiati, ACU, 9-8
