Sewanee, Tennessee – In what proved to be one of it's toughest tests of the year to date, the Wittenberg University Men's Tennis team went toe-to-toe with No. 18 Sewanee on Monday evening, ultimately dropping a heartbreaking 5-4 decision against the Tennessee Tigers. The loss moves Wittenberg's record to 6-2 on the season, as the Tigers will now be off for six days before returning to the courts for a match this Sunday (3/10) at Div. I Dayton.
Who Stood Out
With doubles play completed, the Ohio Tigers appeared primed for the upset over nationally-ranked Sewanee, as Wittenberg held a 2-1 lead in the team score. Senior Martin Mora and Luke Minard took care of their opponents in the top doubles flight by an 8-4 margin, while the rookie duo of Gavin Tay and Joe Patton carved out an 8-5 win of their own in the third doubles flight.
With the lead in hand following doubles play, Mora picked up a huge 6-1, 6-2 win over Brandon Kali in the top singles flight, but Tay was the only other Wittenberg player to notch a singles victory as Sewanee escaped with the narrow 5-4 win over the Ohio Tigers. Tay picked up his singles victory in the fourth flight with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Mike Tefel.
With the two wins combined on Monday, Mora no holds an overall record of 7-0 on the year in the top singles flight in dual matches and also a perfect 8-0 mark while playing in the top doubles flight in dual matches.