Savage Storm Men Split in Abilene

ABILENE, Texas – The No. 40 Southeastern men's tennis opened its most recent weekend of action by narrowly suffering its first loss of the year, 5-4 to No. 41 McMurry, but bounced back the very next day to post a dominant 5-0 victory over Texas-Permian Basin, with both matches being played in Abilene, Texas.
 
The Savage Storm move to 5-1 overall on the year with the split and will next be in action against Newman in Wichita, Kan., on March 7 to open a three-matches in three days swing that also has the team facing Nebraska-Kearney on March 8 and Northwest Missouri State on March 9.
 
In its win over UTPB, SE faced its stiffest competition in doubles, where Petar Popovic and Martin Bedcarratz picked up a 9-7 win at number one to open scoring.
 
That was followed by 8-4 victories by Alberto Blesa and Tiago Ferreira at number two and Nathan Nelmes and Billy Haugen at number three.
 
Blesa faced the toughest singles match, going three sets, but came out with the win at number one, 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 to make the score 4-0.
 
Nelmes then finished the match with a 6-4, 6-1 win at number two to halt the match with the team's fifth and clinching point.
 
Against McMurry, it was a rougher showing in doubles play that left the team in a 2-1 deficit heading to singles.
 
Blesa and Ferreira at number two picked up the lone doubles win, 8-3.
 
Blesa posted a perfect weekend with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win at number one to event he match at 2-2.
 
Nelmes then put the Storm in front with a 6-2, 6-4 win at number two.
 
However, MU answered with wins at numbers three and four to go up 4-3.
 
Popovic would even the score with a 6-0, 5-7, 10-1 win at number five, but the War Hawks would pick up a win at number six to hand SE the 5-4 loss.