NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont Men's Tennis was unable to maintain its Spring Break momentum when it returned to Nashville for a match on Friday. The Bruins (6-8) fell to visiting Ball State (8-6), 6-1, at Centennial Sportsplex.
The Cardinals took the doubles point and BU had an uphill battle on the singles side. Ball State nearly captured all of the singles points before freshman Vincent Sterkens (Antwerp, Belgium) battled into a third set before coming away with the win, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, at No. 3. Freshman Josiah Collins (Atlanta, Ga.) also battled into a third set at No. 5 but fell, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Belmont returns to action on Saturday, March 18 with a doubleheader. The Bruins open OVC play against Austin Peay at 10 a.m. before closing the day with a match versus Auburn at 5 p.m. Both matches will be played at Centennial Sportsplex.
Singles competition
1. Lucas Andersen (BSU) def. Cedric Dujacquier (BELMONT) 6-1, 6-2
2. Andrew Stutz (BSU) def. Hendrik Inno (BELMONT) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
3. Vincent Sterkens (BELMONT) def. Marko Guzina (BSU) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
4. Patrick Downs (BSU) def. Zak Khan (BELMONT) 6-3, 7-5
5. Conner Andersen (BSU) def. Josiah Collins (BELMONT) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
6. Jan Jirus (BSU) def. Bruno Russo (BELMONT) 6-1, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Andrew Stutz/Lucas Andersen (BSU) def. Cedric Dujacquier/Hendrik Inno (BELMONT) 7-6 (8-6)
2. Tom Carney/Conner Andersen (BSU) def. Stephen Goldman/Zak Khan (BELMONT) 6-4
3. Bruno Russo/Vincent Sterkens (BELMONT) vs. Marko Guzina/Patrick Downs (BSU) 5-5, unfinished
