ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After winning its first three matches of the season, the best start in recent memory, the Eckerd men's tennis team was defeated by the Warner Royals, 7-2, on Saturday at the Fred Bullard Courts.
Doubles was a battle as all three points could have gone to either team, but Warner (6-0) captured the early advantage with an 8-6 and 9-8 (11-9) victory at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, respectively.
Eddie Lewis and
Jonathan Cheng paired together for EC (3-1) and were triumphant, 8-6, in the No. 2 doubles spot.
"They played some of the best doubles I have ever seen them play. One and three could have gone our way, but we got some bad breaks on key points that proved to be the difference," head coach
Ben Maxwell said. "Eddie and Johnny really stepped up to get the win at second doubles, and I am proud of everyone's effort."
Frazier Springfield continued to impress in singles play as he came away with his fourth straight victory to remain undefeated. His No. 5 singles victory over Rafael Da Luz was a commanding 6-1, 6-2 decision.
"Frazier is playing within himself and has been improving with every match," said Maxwell.
The Tritons look to return to winning form tomorrow as they open conference play against the ITA No. 7 Saint Leo Lions. The match is scheduled for an 11:00 AM start.
WARNER UNIVERSITY (6-0) DEF. ECKERD COLLEGE (3-1), 7-2Doubles1) Rafael A. Coutinho & Rafael E. Coutinho (WU) def.
Victor Appelqvist &
Yosua Husodo (EC), 8-6
2)
Eddie Lewis &
Jonathan Cheng (EC) def. Couillaume De Vauxclairs & Rafael Da Luz (WU), 8-6
3) Francisco Peiafar & Renan Gambim (WU) def.
James McManus &
Frazier Springfield (EC), 9-8 (11-9)
Singles1) R. A. Coutinho (WU) def. Appelqvist (EC), 6-3, 6-1
2) Peiafar (WU) def. McManus (EC), 6-2, 6-4
3) R. E. Coutinho (WU) def. Husodo (EC), 6-2, 6-4
4) De Vauxclairs (WU) def. Cheng (EC), 6-4, 6-1
5) Springfield (EC) def. Da Luz (EC), 6-1, 6-2
6) Gambim (WU) def. Lewis (EC), 8-3
