Tigers Drop Road Match at Tuskegee
The men's tennis team opened the 2024 spring season on the road at NCAA DII Tuskegee University and it didn't take long to realize that the Tigers were in for a very tough day.
Opening the match with three doubles matches of a six game single set. Tuskegee started strong with J. Shaw/S. Brown def B. McLellan/H. Johnson at #3 doubles followed by T. Alleyne/E. Pinkney def F. Howard/B. Smith 6-2 at #1 doubles. G. Fonger/J. Oie won at #2 doubles 7-6 (5). Playing NCAA rules, Tuskegee wins two of three to take the doubles point and heads to the singles competition leading 1-0.
In singles competition Tuskegee gained the quick advantage with Z. Mayo def F. Howard 6-1, 6-2 in a match that was closer than the score indicates. NCAA DII single plays no-add scoring so matches have a tendency of finishing faster. Shortly after S. Brown def B. Smith 6-3, 6-3. Tuskegee now leads 3-0.
At #2 singles T. Hudson def J. Oie 6-2, 6-2 for the 4th point and the match victory but three matches were still in question for the final score.
Gavin Fonger put MMI on the score board with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Tyler Ladge and Ty'lon Miller finished off Hunter Johnson 6-1, 6-2 to move the score to 5-1.
In the match of the day at #3 singles Torain Alleyne edged out Briar McLellan 6-7, 7-6, 10-6 to finish the scoring at 6-1.
When asked about the match Head Coach Trey Bogue said "I feel bad for Briar today. Coming up just a little short today of a really solid effort in a two-plus hour match. That's a tough one to lose but give credit to Torain for coming up with some big shots at very key times. Jacob and Gavin had a really good win at #2 doubles today. We certainly need to work on cleaning up unforced errors, especially the double faults."
MMI men's team is back in action on Feb. 10th 2:00 at Gadsden State Community College.