For the first time this season, the Lee University men's tennis team found itself on the downside of a final score with a 6-3 loss to Delta State University Saturday at the DeVos Tennis Center. It was the conference opener for the Flames (3-1, 0-1 GSC).
Lee took the early 1-0 lead with a win at No. 3 doubles by Boyd Blackburn and Bruno Medeiros. The duo defeated Stedman Strickland and Timo Schmitz, 9-7. Mason Vice and Joao Yamacita evened the team score with an 8-6 decision over Daniel Prata and Igor Schattan. Rhys Milne and Jake Okines needed an 8-6 tie-breaker to win their No. 1 doubles match against Emile LeTerrier and Hugo Stroppiana, 9-8.
"We played great doubles and fought back from breaks down at No. 1 and No. 3," said Lee head coach Patric Hynes. "Delta is a much improved team this year and they were just a little better today in singles. Most of the matches were close, but they did a better job of converting their chances."
Delta State (4-0, 3-0 GSC) won five of the six singles matches. Blackburn kept the Statesmen from sweeping with a 6-3 and 6-4 score over Hildenbrand.
The Flames look to get back on the winning track on Sunday against Christian Brothers University. The GSC match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY 6, LEE UNIVERSITY 3
Singles competition
1. Emile LeTerrier (MDSU) def. Rhys Milne (LEE-M) 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
2. Hugo Stroppiana (MDSU) def. Jake Okines (LEE-M) 6-3, 7-5
3. Mason Vice (MDSU) def. Igor Schattan (LEE-M) 6-4, 6-4
4. Stedman Strickland (MDSU) def. Bruno Medeiros (LEE-M) 7-6 (7-5), 7-5
5. Joao Yamacita (MDSU) def. Daniel Prata (LEE-M) 7-5, 6-2
6. Boyd Blackburn (LEE-M) def. Andrew Hildenbrand (MDSU) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Rhys Milne/Jake Okines (LEE-M) def. Emile LeTerrier/Hugo Stroppiana (MDSU) 9-8 (8-6)
2. Mason Vice/Joao Yamacita (MDSU) def. Daniel Prata/Igor Schattan (LEE-M) 8-6
3. Boyd Blackburn/Bruno Medeiros (LEE-M) def. Stedman Strickland/Timo Schmitz (MDSU) 9-7
