AUSTIN, Texas - The No. 36 ranked Southwestern University men's tennis team fell to a very tough Division II St. Edward's, 9-0, in their opener on Friday evening at the Austin Tennis Academy.
The Pirates got off to a slow start in doubles, dropping all three sets. The No. 1 doubles team of senior Grant Gideon and sophomore Dean Dulthummon had a solid showing, falling 8-5, while the No. 2 team of senior David Strong and sophomore Tyler Norman also scored some solid points, falling 8-3.
On the singles side, the men elevated their game as 1-5 put together a strong showing. Gideon and Dulthummon continued their strong play from doubles as Gideon dropped an outstanding match in a three set tiebreaker, 6-7, 6-2, 10-12 at No. 2 singles. Gideon had a trio of match points in the tiebreaker, but could not quite convert in the thriller.
Dulthummon also went to third set, eventually falling 3-6, 6-3, 4-10 at No. 3 singles. Sophomore Alexis Dimanche dropped a comeptitve match at No. 1 singles by the score of 5-7, 4-6.
Sophomore Jeremy Wilson fell 4-6, 3-6 in No. 4 singles while junior Alonso Fernandez dropped 5-7, 3-6 contest at No. 5 singles.
"I think there are a lot of positive to take away in this opening match against a really strong Division II opponent," said Head Coach Billy Porter. "Looking forward to resting up during the weekend and getting back on Thursday against Sul Ross."
Southwestern falls to 0-1 on the young season but will return to action on Thursday for their home opener against Sul Ross State beginning at 5 PM.
Men's Recap pic.twitter.com/XY8AmSDFV3
— Southwestern Tennis (@SUPiratesTennis) February 3, 2018