Cincinnati, Ohio – The Youngstown State men's tennis team dropped a hard-fought 4-2 decision to Tennessee Tech on Sunday in the Horizon League Championship match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
The Penguins and Golden Eagles battled for more than three hours, and four of the six singles matches went to a third set.
Tennessee Tech took the lead by winning the doubles point. TTU won at No. 2 and No. 3 in two close matches. At No. 1, Alexis Maulouet and Rafael Le Fur battled back to lead 6-5 when the point was clinched.
The Golden Eagles won two singles contests in straight sets putting the Guins in a tough spot. But the young YSU group didn't back down.
At No. 6, Malo Vernejoul battled for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 win to keep the Penguins in the contest.
The matches at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 were all still close once Vernejoul was able to get the Penguins on the board.
However, at No. 3, Tennessee Tech picked up a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win to clinch the victory and earn the NCAA berth.
Oscar Gippet was awarded a third set win giving him a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. In the lone remaining match, Matteo Cerardelli had a 6-3, 0-6, 4-3 lead.
YSU finishes the season with a 16-6 overall record.
