HILTON HEAD, S.C. - The Messiah men's tennis team earned their first victory of the 2018-19 season on Tuesday afternoon with a 6-3 decision over the Edgewood Eagles in Hilton Head, S.C. The Falcons did their damage in singles play after after trailing 2-1 after doubles action.
Alex Mantsevich and
Andrew Bookman earned straight-set victories in singles matches as
Galen Fitzkee gutted out a victory in the #1 singles match.
The Falcons will take Wednesday off from competition and will be back in action on Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. when they take on the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
How It Happened
Edgewood took the only two doubles matches contested on Tuesday, but with only four players on the roster the Eagles were forced to forfeit the final doubles match and held a 2-1 lead heading to singles play. In the second doubles match, the Messiah team of
Alex Mantsevich and
Bryson Boettger kept things close, but fell in a tiebreaker set 8-7 (7-3).
The Falcons took care of business in singles play thanks to straight set victories from Mantsevich and
Andrew Bookman at #2 and #3 singles, respectively. Mantsevich defeated Sabastion Seeger 6-3, 6-4 in the second singles match while Bookman earned 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jackson Venske on court three.
Galen Fitzkee battled back after dropping the first set on court one by a 7-5 score to claim the second set 6-4. He then took the tiebreaker set, 10-6 to win the match 5-7, 6-4 (10-6).
Messiah also won the #5 and #6 singles matches by forfeit to seal the 6-3 comeback victory.
What's Up Next
After taking tomorrow off, the Falcons will be back in action on Thursday morning when they take on the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Messiah defeats Edgewood - 6-3
Singles
#1 -
Galen Fitzkee (MC) def. Dornhagen S., Marius (EC) 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-6)
#2 -
Alex Mantsevich (MC) def. Seeger, Sabastion (EC) 6-3, 6-4
#3 -
Andrew Bookman (MC) def. Venske, Jackson (EC) 6-4, 6-3
#4 - Ebben, Tommy (EC) def.
Bryson Boettger (MC) 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-6)
#5 -
Jarod Snader (MC) def. No player (EC), by default
#6 -
AJ Swanson (MC) def. No player (EC), by default
Doubles
#1 - Dornhagen S., Marius/Seeger, Sabastion (EC) def.
Galen Fitzkee/
Andrew Bookman (MC) 8-3
#2 - Venske, Jackson/Ebben, Tommy (EC) def.
Alex Mantsevich/
Bryson Boettger (MC) 8-7 (7-3)
#3 -
Jarod Snader/
AJ Swanson (MC) def. No player/No player (EC), by default
