By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director
LAGRANGE, Ga. – LaGrange (5-7, 1-5 CCS) men's tennis got behind early to Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) front runner Covenant (14-5, 4-0 CCS) and could not recover as they dropped an 8-1 decision in an NCAA Division III men's tennis match on Saturday, April 15.
The Scots quickly picked up No. 2 and No. 3 doubles with 8-1 victories before seniors Al Robertson (Moreland, Ga.) and Luke Griffin (Atlanta, Ga.) gave Ben Onufrock and Austin Dreslinski all they could handle at No. 1 as they dropped a narrow 8-6 decision.
They would make it 4-0 with a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles before freshmen Michael Strydom (Brits, South Africa) pulled out a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Ethan Gibson at No. 2. Quick wins at the fourth and six spots then sealed the match before Robertson fell to Ben Luke at No. 1 in a knockdown, drag out fight. In that one Luke claimed the opener 7-5 with Robertson responding with a 6-4 win before falling 10-7 in the tiebreaker. Covenant then took No. 5 by 6-4, 6-3 scores to close out the 8-1 victory.
UP NEXT
The Panthers are now off until their regular season finale against Point on Monday, April 24. First serve is set for 3 p.m.
NOTES
Prior to the match LaGrange recognized their two seniors in Al Robertson and Luke Griffin as part of Senior Day festivities.
COVENANT 8, LAGRANGE 1
Doubles
1. Ben Onufrock/Austin Dreslinski (CC) def. Al Robertson/Luke Griffin (LC) 8-6
2. Ethan Gibson/Graham Hayes (CC) def. Michael Strydom/Nic Bodin (LC) 8-1
3. Gill Dunn/Camden Lashley (CC) def. Kyle Moore/Zach Neighbors (LC) 8-1
Order of Finish: 3,2,1
Singles
1. Ben Luke (CC) def. Al Robertson (LC) 7-5, 4-6, 10-7
2. Michael Strydom (LC) def. Ethan Gibson (CC) 6-3, 6-4
3. Graham Hayes (CC) def. Luke Griffin (LC) 6-0, 6-2
4. Jacob Eldridge (CC) def. Nic Bodin (LC) 6-0, 6-1
5. Jeb Barnette (CC) def. Kyle Moore (LC) 6-4, 6-3
6. Camden Lashley (CC) def. Zach Neighbors (LC) 6-0, 6-0
Order of Finish: 3,2,4,6,1,5
