SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Back on home courts for the first time in 2025, the John Brown University men's tennis team captured the doubles point and then secured four singles victories to defeat Ozarks (Ark.), 5-2, on Wednesday afternoon (April 9) at the JBU Tennis Courts to end a three-match losing streak.
"The men redeemed themselves after a loss to Ozarks earlier this season," head coach Mike Campbell pointed out. "We had our full team available and pulled out a great victory. Our only two losses came in heartbreaking third-set defeats, and Lucas clinched the match for us with a huge win—one he really needed."
The Golden Eagles (8-8) started strong in doubles play as sophomore Negad Ezzat and freshman Lucas Machado cruised to a 6-3 win at the second flight, followed by sophomore Brady Dick and junior Spencer Keeter claiming a 6-4 victory at the top position to secure the doubles point. Ozarks (6-6) avoided the sweep when Griffin Huckelbury and Joshua Wilde edged junior Jonathan Hillock and sophomore Andrew Aylor, 6-4, at the third slot.
Keeter quickly extended John Brown's lead with a convincing 6-1, 6-3 win over Wilde at the second singles position to improve to a team-best 14-2 on the season. Dick followed suit with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Zachary Hanson at the third flight to push the JBU advantage to 3-0.
The visiting Eagles showed fight when Sergio Munoz outlasted Ezzat in a thrilling 6-4, 2-6, 12-10 battle at the top singles slot, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, Machado responded and clinched the match for the Golden Eagles with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Joseph Guidry at the fourth position, securing the team victory.
With the outcome decided, Ozarks claimed another point as Ryan Rosalin rallied past junior Hayes Stark, 3-6, 6-0, 10-8, at the fifth flight. Hillock moved to 9-3 on the year and completed the day for JBU with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Huckelbury at the sixth position.
John Brown closes out the regular season Friday afternoon (April 11) when they travel to Tulsa, Okla. to take on Texas Wesleyan and Missouri Baptist at the Case Tennis Center at LaFortune Park. The matches are scheduled to kick off at noon and 4 p.m., respectively.
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