LOUSIVILLE, Ky.--The Bellarmine men's tennis team slipped past the visiting Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters 5-4 in a St. Patrick's Day dual match played indoors at the Sport, Recreation and Fitness Center.

Jacob Knagenhjelm played superbly as he led the Knights to victory.  First, he teamed with Carlos Antonioli at number two doubles to earn an 8-4 decision.  Knagenhjelm then picked up the the Knights' first singles point with a 6-1, 6-1 win at number three singles. 

Igal Mostkov also came up big for the Knnights, teaming up with Anton Rabinov to win a hard fought battle at number one doubles then came right back with a monster win at number two singles, pulling out a 10-2 third set tie-break win. 

Anton Rabinov played great at number one singles but just came up short in the third set breaker. "Anton and Philipp Hoffman played some of the highest quality tennis you will ever see at Bellarmine University," said Bellarmine Coach John Mican.

Mostkov's and Knagenhjelm's wins wouldn't have meant as much had it not been for Jimmy Fernandez coming through for the Knights and picking up the fifth and clinching point of the day  with a convincing 10-4 third set tie-break win. With the match on the line it seemed as though Fernandez was going to cruise to an easy victory,  going up 5-1 in the first set.  Suddenly the match turned around and LMU's Michael Koenen came back to win the first set 7-5.  It was at that point that Rabinov rallied all the Knights to really start backing their teammate who was locked in a tight battle.  "Every one of the guys, starters and reserves, responded the way teammates should, and their support helped Jimmy seal the win," Mican said.  "That was a true team win from top to bottom in my book."   

Bellarmine University 5, Lincoln Memorial 4
Mar 17, 2013 at Louisville, KY

Singles competition

1. Philipp Hoffmann (LMU) def. Anton Rabinov (BU) 6-4, 4-6, 10-4

2. Igal Mostkov (BU) def. Marcelo Alvim (LMU) 7-6 (0-1), 6-7 (4-7), 10-2

3. Jacob Knagenhjelm (BU) def. Alexey Minevskiy (LMU) 6-1, 6-1

4. Gabriel Martins (LMU) def. Carlos Antonioli (BU) 6-1, 6-4

5. Guilherme Rocha (LMU) def. Alan Gardiner (BU) 6-4, 6-3

6. Jimmy Fernandez (BU) def. Michael Koenen (LMU) 5-7, 6-2, 10-4

Doubles competition

1. Anton Rabinov/Igal Mostkov (BU) def. Philipp Hoffmann/Alexey Minevskiy (LMU) 8-6

2. Jacob Knagenhjelm/Carlos Antonioli (BU) def. Marcelo Alvim/Will Sparks (LMU) 8-4

3. Gabriel Martins/Michael Koenen (LMU) def. Alan Gardiner/Nathan Walroth (BU) 8-7 (10-8)

Match Notes

Lincoln Memorial 4-3

Bellarmine University 11-4