JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The Belmont University men's tennis team dropped its regular season finale to Jacksonville State 4-3 in Jacksonville, Ala.
Belmont snagged the early lead thanks to doubles victories freshmen Tomas Luis and Diego Castro followed by a close 7-6 win from the doubles team of senior Jake Briggs and junior Arthur Toledo. Senior Marko Ilic picked up his 56th career singles win in three sets while freshman Alfred Wallin picked up his 10th singles win of the season with a close victory in three sets.
Jacksonville State, however, claimed four singles wins to edge the Bruins in the regular season finale. The Bruins finished the regular season with an 11-4 record and a 3-2 record in Ohio Valley Conference play.
Belmont claimed the No. 3 seed in the OVC Tournament in Evansville, Ind., facing No. 2 seed Jacksonville State in a rematch on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Wesselman Tennis Center.
Jacksonville State 4, Belmont 3
Doubles
1. Norwood/Kaplja (JSU) def. Ilic/Miyamoto (BEL) 6-3
2. Luis/Castro (BEL) def. Agost/Blanchar (JSU) 6-0
3. Toledo/Briggs (BEL) def. Vallejo/Tomac (JSU) 7-6
Singles
1. Ilic (BEL) def. Vallejo (JSU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Tomac (JSU) def. Toledo (BEL) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
3. Norwood (JSU) def. Luis (BEL) 6-4, 6-2
4. Agost (JSU) def. Castro (BEL) 6-7, 7-6, 6-3
5. Kaplja (JSU) def. Miyamoto (BEL) 7-5, 6-1
6. Wallin (BEL) def. Blanchar (JSU) 6-7, 6-3, 6-2
