WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After 20 days without action, the Bellarmine Knights men's tennis team returned to the court against Purdue and Eastern Illinois in West Lafayette, Ind.
The Knights dropped their morning match with Purdue by a final score of 7-0 followed by a 4-3 loss to EIU in the afternoon.
Purdue (4-6) earned the doubles point with victories at no. 2 and no. 3, which set the tone for the match. Bellarmine's (3-5) closest singles effort came from
Donovan Ecarma, who lost to Milledge Cossu in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 10-6) in the no. 5 slot. The Boilermakers were the third power-five opponent on Bellarmine's schedule to start the season.
In the second match of the day, BU came incredibly close to its fourth win of the season. The tight competition began in doubles where
Paul Reynolds and Ecarma teamed up for a 6-2 win against Charles Corteau and Pau Riera as the no. 2 squad. BU dropped the no. 3 doubles match, and the no. 1 battle came down to the wire.
Jack Batchelor and
Cole Groetsch ultimately fell, however, 7-6 (7-5).
EIU earned the crucial doubles point, and did just enough in singles for the match victory. Bellarmine's singles win came from Reynolds against Leighton Brandon 6-3, 6-4 playing no. 2. Batchelor dominated Cameron Slabbert 6-1, 6-0 at no. 3 singles, and Ecarma bested Riera 6-2, 6-2 at the no. 4 slot. Despite another strong effort from Groetsch at no. 1 singles, Christos Kyrillou slid past him in three sets – 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-0).
Bellarmine is scheduled to return to the court in a newly added home match on March 6 against Tennessee State. The match beings at 11:00 a.m. at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex.
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