Spiders Drop 4-3 Heartbreaker to Dukes

Friday, February 16

Salisbury CC

6PM

University of Richmond

James Madison

02/17/2018 | Men's Tennis

MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The University of Richmond men's tennis team came storming back in Friday night's matchup with James Madison, but the Spiders were unable to complete the comeback, falling 4-3 at Salisbury Country Club.

"That was great college tennis match," head coach Houston Barrick said. "We didn't come out on the right end of things tonight, but we fought hard until the very end. I've asked our guys all year to control what we can control, and even though we are disappointed in the result, our guys played their hearts out."

The Spiders fell behind early, dropping the doubles point with losses on courts 2 and 3. Caleb Troy and James Aronson led Theophile Lanthiez and Paul Mondoza, 5-4, but did not complete their match at No. 1.

James Madison extended their lead to 3-0 before John Karlawish put the Spiders on the board with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Alvaro Arce on Court 2.

Karlawish's win sparked a Spider comeback, as George Lovitt won easily on court 6, 6-3, 6-3 over Tate Steinour and Matt Fernandez tied the match at 3-3, defeating Lanthiez 6-1, 6-4 at No. 4.

The match came down to Aronson's match on court 5. JMU's Pierre Kohler took the first set in a tie-breaker, 7-6 (4), before Aronson came back with a 6-4 win in the second set. Kohler sealed the win with another tie-breaker win, 7-6(5).

"We have to find ways to win the big points," Barrick said. "I felt like JMU was better in the big moments tonight. But this is a process, and we now have to get ready for very good Old Dominion team."

The Spiders return to action on Sunday, February 18, when they travel to Norfolk to face the Monarchs. Match time is set for 10 a.m.

James Madison 4, Richmond 3
SINGLES
1) Paul Mendoza (JMU) def. Caleb Troy (UR) – 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(0)
2) John Karlawish (UR) def. Alvaro Arce (JMU) – 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
3) Damon Roberts (JMU) def. Brice Polender (UR) – 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
4) Matt Fernandez (UR) def. Theophile Lanthiez (JMU) – 6-1, 6-4
5) Pierre Kohler (JMU) def. James Aronson (UR) – 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5)
6) George Lovitt (UR) def. Tate Steinour (JMU) – 6-3, 6-3
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2, 6, 4, 5

DOUBLES
1. Lanthiez/Mendoza (JMU) vs. Troy/Aronson (UR) – 4-5 unf.
2. Arce/Kohler (JMU) def. Polender/Lovitt (UR) – 6-3
3. Adis/Steinour (JMU) def. Karlawish/Evans (UR) – 6-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2