HILTON HEAD, SC. - The Messiah men's tennis team earned a hard fought win against Roanoke this afternoon 5-4. After claiming two doubles courts from Chase Wilson/Connor Rose and Jonathan Baker/Carl Anderson, in singles Chase Wilson, Connor Rose and the eventual clincher Michael Niemi brought home the fifth and final point for the Falcons on the evening. 

The Falcons will play Gordon College on Friday, March 10, at 9:00 AM in their final spring break match.

On the Courts
Chase Wilson and Connor Rose continued their hot week as the top doubles duo for the Falcons winning in a tiebreak 8-7(4). Jonathan Baker and Carl Anderson also prevailed in a tiebreak 8-7(5) after falling behind in the tiebreak 4-1 on court three. Michael Niemi and Josh Gingerich fell on court two 5-8 as the Falcons took a 2-1 lead into singles.

Chase Wilson found himself in yet another back and forth affair as he headed into a decisive third set super tiebreaker. After winning the first set 6-2, Wilson lost 3-6 in the second before trading blows once again in the tiebreak. With the tiebreak tied at 8-8, Wilson used patience to work the points to claim the final two points and the match 6-2, 3-6, (10-8).

Connor Rose also found himself in a battle, winning the first set 6-3 before ultimately winning the second set 7-5 to give the Falcons their fourth point.

Michael Sell (1-6, 1-6) and Josh Gingerich (0-6, 4-6) fell in their matches on courts three and four as the Falcons held a 4-3 lead with two courts to go. The dominant play of Michael Niemi proved to be the decisive point and the clinching match as he won 6-1, 6-2. Finally, on court six, Peyton Sopirak fell 2-6, 2-6.

Up Next
The win takes the Falcons to 2-2 overall and 2-1 this week on Spring Break. Messiah will play one final match against Gordon College on Friday, March 10, at 9:00 AM at the Hilton Head Resort.