LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Bellarmine University men's tennis team got off to a strong start and led their Division I in-state rival Western Kentucky 2-1 after the doubles flight, but the Hilltoppers came back with five singles victories to earn the 6-3 decision in today's dual match at Bellarmine's Sport, Recreation and Fitness Center.

Jose Legarreta and Zachary Kuo teamed to get Bellarmine's first point of the day with an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles, and Jimmy Fernandez and Logan Knott secured the second point with an 8-6 victory at No. 3. 

In singles, only Fernandez was able to secure a point for the Knights, winning at No. 4 singles 6-0, 6-1.  "Jimmy is simply phenomenal playing on our indoor home courts at the SuRF," said Bellarmine Coach John Mican.  Chip Jabaley put up a strong fight at number six singles but fell just short in the super tie-break third set.  

The Knights had won the last two meetings against Western Kentucky, but this time the Hilltoppers were ready for the Knights as they asserted themselves in the singles matches. "It was a hard fought match, but we just couldn't match their combined power and consistency,"  Mican said.

Next up for the Knights are the Centre College Colonels, who visit Bellarmine on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 9 a.m.



Western Kentucky 6, Bellarmine 3
Feb 08, 2014 at Louisville, Ky. 

Singles competition

1. Closi, J.T. (WKU) def. Kuo, Zachary (BU) 6-3, 6-3

2. Taranda, Alex (WKU) def. Legarreta, Jose (BU) 6-3, 6-4

3. Smith, Josh (WKU) def. Walroth, Nathan (BU) 6-2, 6-2

4. Fernandez, Jimmy (BU) def. Fish, Andrew (WKU) 6-0, 6-1

5. Hill, Andrew (WKU) def. Knott, Logan (BU) 6-1, 6-2

6. Stewart, Alex (WKU) def. Jabaley, Chip (BU) 6-2, 4-6, 10-8

Doubles competition

1. Closi, J.T./Taranda, Alex (WKU) def. Walroth, Nathan/Swords, Alex (BU) 8-1

2. Legarreta, Jose/Kuo, Zachary (BU) def. Smith, Josh/Fish, Andrew (WKU) 8-5

3. Fernandez, Jimmy/Knott, Logan (BU) def. Hill, Andrew/Stewart, Alex (WKU) 8-6