PADUCAH, Ky. -- The Morehead State men's tennis team saw its 2014 season come to a close Friday afternoon with a 4-2 loss to top-seeded Jacksonville State in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinals at the Larry Heflin Complex.
MSU, which was seeded fifth, closed the campaign at 10-10 overall. JSU moved to 15-7. The match was the final collegiate action for MSU seniors David Clifford and Ji Hoon Heo. Clifford wrapped up his four-year Eagle career with 44 singles wins in dual matches. Heo, who transferred from Hawaii Pacific University prior to the 2012-13 season, won 20 singles contests in his two seasons.
The Gamecocks secured a 1-0 lead with doubles wins on the first two courts. Clifford and sophomore Nick Mercer narrowly lost to Mathias Chaim and Dylan Gee, 8-7 (7-3), at No. 2.
In singles, JSU pushed ahead 2-0 when Chaim topped Clifford 6-4, 6-2 on court five. The Eagles notched their first point as freshman Gabriel Ruiz blasted Felipe Diaz 6-2, 6-0 at No. 6. MSU tied the match when sophomore Giovanni Samaha got past Jaryd Reese 6-4, 6-3 on court two.
The Eagles battled on courts one and four but lost both three-set contests. At No. 1, Pedro Wagner outlasted freshman Jack Swindells 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. On court four, Mercer won the opening set but ultimately dropped a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 tilt to Jeff Wendler-Filho. Heo's match at No. 3 with Gee was stopped short.
