DELAND, Fla. -- Even with strong battles in both singles and doubles action, Belmont Men's Tennis (5-7) was unable to topple Stetson on the road Sunday. The Bruins were held off, 6-1, by the Hatters (7-3) at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.
The Bruins were held off in the doubles point but looked to rebound on the singles side.
Belmont got off to a strong start in singles play with senior Cedric Dujacquier (Feluy, Belgium) recording a win at No. 1, 6-3, 7-5. Battles at Nos. 3, 5, and 6 went to third sets before being decided. Freshman Hendrik Inno (Someru, Estonia) forced his opponent deep into the tiebreaker before being edged, 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (5-7). Classmate Josiah Collins (Atlanta, Ga.) nearly pulled off the win at No. 5 with a huge rebound but was edged, 2-6, 6-0, 6-7. After winning the first set, senior Bruno Russo (Sao Paulo, Brazil) fell down the stretch at No. 6, 6-4, 2-6, 2-6.
"I felt like we were very close to pulling off a win," said Head Coach Mauricio Antun. "We served for the match on two courts and we weren't able to close the matches. We are playing good tennis, but we need to be better at the crucial moments of the match. That's what made the difference today."
Belmont returns to action on Tuesday, March 7 with a stop at Rollins. Match time is set for 2 p.m.
