RESULTS
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State men's tennis team came up short at No. 43 Louisville Sunday. The Cardinals, who feature the top-ranked singles player in Division I, defeated the Eagles 5-0.
Louisville improved to 4-2, while MSU slipped to 1-4.
Morehead State played its third match in as many days. The Eagles had exhibition contests against Vincennes (Ind.) on Friday and ASA College (N.Y.) on Saturday.
"I was very proud of the team today, even despite the outcome" Head Coach Kevin Fulton said. "I can't say enough about our improved play at No. 3 doubles with Enrique Samudio and Jose Zurro. We need to be able to maintain this type of intensity and energy throughout entire matches, and I feel like if we do, we'll have a tremendous opportunity this season."
Samudio, a junior, and Zurro, a freshman, defeated Chris Simich and Stjepan Cagalj 6-4. At No. 1, Seb Stiefelmeyer and Van Damrongsri got past sophomore Ritchie Kruunenberg and sophomore Gabriel Ruiz, 6-3. On court two, Alex Gornet and Jeffrey Brown bested junior Nick Mercer and freshman Sabastian Penaloza, 6-3.
"That was a really competitive match," Louisville Head Coach Rex Ecarma said. "Kevin Fulton has his team really competing hard. They're solid from top to bottom."
Stiefelmeyer, the nation's top-ranked singles player, defeated Kruunenberg 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1. Gornet topped Ruiz 6-2, 6-2 on court three, and Michael Lippens knocked out Zurro 6-1, 6-3 at No. 5. On court six, Brown took care of Samudio 6-1, 6-2.
"We battled the No. 1 and No. 59-ranked players in the country point-for-point, and I feel like these guys are going to take this experience to help them improve throughout the season."
Morehead State hosts Indiana-Southeast, an NAIA foe, in its next action Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
