NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State men's tennis dropped its penultimate regular season match, falling 5-0 to Furman inside the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Paladins (15-4) jumped ahead to an early 1-0 lead after two-straight doubles victories.
Andres Alcaraz and
Dan Dumitrascu fell to Drew Singerman and Henrik Atlevi – 6-2 – on the third court before
Flavian Fernandez and
Agustin Carrizo's 6-3 loss to Jake Munns and Ivan Mitric in the top-seeded flight.
FU was one game away from a clean doubles sweep. Clarke Wilson and Jake Bhangdia led
Vini Da Silva and
Ignacio Guevel, 5-4, when doubles action halted.
Munns opened singles play with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Carrizo on the third court. Bhangdia then topped Fernandez in straight sets – 6-2, 6-4 – in the fourth-seeded flight.
Wilson provided the clinching point on the second court with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Alcaraz. Alex Steryous wrapped up his 6-4, 7-5 win over Guevel on the sixth court moments after the Paladins' clinched the match to produce the final score.
Da Silva was attempting to rally from a first-set defeat when the match ended. Mitric topped Da Silva, 7-6, in the opener, and the second set was tied at 1-1.
Dumitrascu trailed in the third set of his match at No. 5 singles. He topped James Roelofse in the first set, 7-5, before falling 6-1 in the second. Roelofse held a 2-1 edge in the third.
The Spartans conclude the 2019 regular season on Sunday, when they travel to Hampton for a 1 p.m. match.