THIBODAUX, La. – It came down to a deciding match for the Alcorn State University men's tennis program, but Nicholls State barely pulled out a 4-3 decision Thursday at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
The Braves (4-10, 4-2 SWAC) dropped the doubles point when they started to rally in singles. Freshman
Johnatan Parat made quick work of Leo Santos 6-1, 6-0 at the No. 3 position, and sophomore
Suyash Gupta followed suit with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 4 singles.
Alcorn fell at No. 6 singles, at senior
Kert Kilumets retired at the top spot after dropping a tight first set 7-6.
To keep the Braves alive, freshman
Stojan Stojanovski defeated Tobias Lentz 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. It extended Stojanovksi's winning streak to five consecutive matches.
All eyes were on No. 5 singles where junior
Nuno Rocha came back to force a third set after dropping the first but winning the second. In the deciding frame, Nicholls' Eduardo Marino was able to claw out a 6-4 final.
The Braves entered the match having won three in a row with victories over Jackson State 4-1, Mississippi Valley State 4-0 and Alabama A&M 4-1.
Alcorn will be back in action Saturday at 11 a.m. when it travels to Lamar. The Braves will wrap-up the weekend with a 12 p.m. first serve at UL-Lafayette.
Men's Tennis
Nicholls 4, Alcorn 3
Singles Competition
1. Oleksander Podgursky (NICM) def.
Kert Kilumets (ALCNM) 7-6 (7-4), retired
2.
Stojan Stojanovski (ALCNM) def. Tobias Lentz (NICM) 6-2, 6-2
3.
Johnatan Parat (ALCNM) def. Leo Santos (NICM) 6-1, 6-0
4.
Suyash Gupta (ALCNM) def. Lewis Cox (NICM) 6-2, 6-2
5. Eduardo Marino (NICM) def.
Nuno Rocha (ALCNM) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
6. Néstor Giribet Lopez (NICM) def.
Ivan Matas (ALCNM) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles Competition
1. Oleksander Podgursky/Tobias Lentz (NICM) def.
Kert Kilumets/
Stojan Stojanovski (ALCNM) 6-4
2. Lewis Cox/Néstor Giribet Lopez (NICM) def.
Ivan Matas/
Nuno Rocha (ALCNM), 6-3
3. Leo Santos/Eduardo Marino (NICM) vs.
Suyash Gupta/
Johnatan Parat (ALCNM) 5-4, unfinished
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