NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers men's tennis team (6-10) had another strong performance in doubles but could not stave off the SMU Mustangs (11-11) in a 5-2 loss on Friday afternoon at the University Tennis Center.
"It was a good effort," said Coach
Burzis Kanga. "We played well in doubles and came really close against a good caliber team and I think this is the best we've done against SMU."
Nicolas Kramer and
Odysseas Papaioannou continued their hot streak in doubles with a 6-4 win at flight three. SMU took the match at flight two setting up the deciding match at flight one where
Mats Westkamp and
Misha Fomenkov were engaged in a tight battle that went to a tiebreak.
The tandem prevailed in the deciding game to give New Orleans the doubles point for the third consecutive match and the 10
th time overall in the spring.
However, SMU seized momentum in singles winning five of the six matches. Westkamp was in a tough match against Carles Sarrio who was ranked 74
th nationally according to the ITA in singles. Westkamp won the first set, but Sarrio rallied to win the next two sets.
The Mustangs also won two tiebreak sets in matches at flight five and six. The remaining four SMU wins came in straight sets.
Samuel Armand secured the lone point in singles for New Orleans. He defeated Tomas Vaise 6-4, 6-3 to notch his sixth win of the spring.
The Privateers will take to the road to face Abilene Christian on Sunday, Mar. 31 in their next match as they get back into conference play. The match is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start.
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