SILOAM SPRINGS -- After nearly stealing the doubles point against a top-rated duo, the John Brown University men's tennis team fell 6-1 on Tuesday morning (March 13) to Missouri Baptist at the JBU Tennis Courts.
The tandem of senior Carson Thoma and sophomore Mason Cary improved to 4-4 on the season after taking a 6-3 win at the third slot to give John Brown (6-6) an early lead in doubles play, but the hosts barely missed an opportunity to go up 1-0 overall after senior Hudson Dick and sophomore Spencer Ketter fell in a tiebreak, 7-3, after battling to a 7-6 setback.
The tandem actually carried a 5-2 lead at the one, but the Spartans (10-4) came storming back as Luca da Silva Ebenriter and Dragan Omcikus – the nation's fourth-ranked doubles team – captured the win.
"We were that close to winning the doubles point today," head coach Mike Campbell admitted. "Like the women's side, we only won one of three third-set tiebreakers. Missouri Baptist is a really high-quality team, as they are always one of the top squads in our region. This year was no different, but this year we competed better than we have in the past."
Dick lost his first singles matchup of the season at the one, falling by a mirror 6-3 scores to dal Silva Ebenriter. Freshman Negad Ezzat and Keeter both fell in tiebreak fashion, 8-10 and 7-10, respectively, at two and three.
Sophomore Jonathan Hillock nabbed his first win of the season at the bottom flight, outlasting Foster Edwards in the third set, 3-6, 6-1, 10-8.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday (March 30) afternoon when John Brown welcomes Ozarks (Ark.) to Siloam Springs for a 3 p.m. match.
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