Men's Tennis Suffers Non-Conference Loss

ATLANTA, Ga. – Mercer’s men’s tennis team dropped a non-conference match played in Atlanta, falling to Coastal Carolina University, 5-2.

The setback dropped the Bears to 1-2 on the young spring season. The Chanticleers remained unbeaten at 3-0 in 2011.

MU started the day by losing the team point in doubles, dropping two of three matches. The lone pairs win for the Bears was at the No. 3 position where Guilherme Frias and David Barton won an 8-4 decision over CCU’s Dorian Sovic and Yusuke Kusuda.

Frias and Barton were also Mercer’s only singles play winners, as well, in the Nos. 5 and 6 spots, respectively. Frias topped Coastal’s Alex Funkhouser in straight sets, 6-2 and 7-6 (8-6).

At the sixth position, Barton won a 6-4, 6-4 decision over John Karle.

“Losing the doubles point was important,” MU head coach Warren Woolfolk said.  “We came out with great energy and intensity, but came up short on numerous break and game points. Our opponents were simply more aggressive than us in crucial moments of the match.

“We have plenty to work on between now and when conference play starts up, but I am confident that this year's team will prove to be one of the strongest teams that has ever been assembled at Mercer.”