Men's Tennis Battles No. 39 Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. - - Belmont University men's tennis pushed another nationally-ranked program deep into singles, ultimately dropping a 4-1 decision at No. 39 Auburn Thursday night from Yarbrough Tennis Center.
 
The Bruins struck first by earning the doubles point in dramatic fashion. Stefan Vedovelli and Sabi Roi won several clutch points in stunning the top-15 ranked duo of Billy Blaydes and Will Nolan on line one. Blaydes and Nolan entered the match ranked 13th in the nation after winning the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Southern Regional Championship in the fall.
 
Then after Auburn won at second doubles, Diego Castro and Eli Mizerski went to-to-toe with Jake Kennedy and Hamza Nasridinov. Castro and Mizerski took it to the limit and won the decisive tiebreak to get Belmont on the board.
 
Auburn earned singles victories at line two, five, and six to take a 3-1 lead, but Belmont continued to battle.
 
Charlie Robin took set two over Nolan, 6-4, at No. 1 singles, while Roi was on serve in the second set with Blaydes at third singles.
 
However, Joey Phillips defeated Morgan Woodson in a competitive match on line four to provide the margin for the host Tigers.
 
Belmont and Auburn let met eight years ago.
 
Up Next
 
Belmont (6-10) opens Horizon League play March 22 vs. Southern Indiana. First serve is set for 2 p.m. from the Beaman Family Tennis Center.
 
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