Dukes Capture First Win with 4-3 Comeback at Longwood

Sunday, March 7

Farmville, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

Longwood

3/7/2021 6:00:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – James Madison men's tennis won its final two singles matches to complete the 4-3 comeback win at Longwood on Sunday afternoon at Lancer Courts.

JMU improved to 1-2 on the spring season, while Longwood fell to 2-3.

The Dukes won all three doubles matches while the teams split the six singles matches.

JMU took the early 1-0 lead after sweeping doubles play. The team of Oscar Hernandez and William Karpinski rolled to a 6-1 win on court three against Andrew Ilett and Guillermo Cagigas.

The Dukes clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win on court one by Holden Koons and Paul Mendoza against Guilherme Sergio and Ernest Rocabert. The tandem of Gonzalo Adis and Alvaro Arce also pulled out a 6-4 victory on court two versus Marc Casasnovas and Rosen Naydenov.

Longwood seized a 2-1 match lead in singles play, with wins on courts one and two.

Hernandez tied things up at 2-2, sneaking past Naydenov by just two points in a third set tiebreaker. He outlasted his Lancer opposition on court five by scores of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (5).

The Lancers reclaimed the lead with second come-from-behind singles win on court four, leaving the match in the hands of Mendoza and Mario Pena.

Mendoza overcame a slow start in his match on court three, rallying for a 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Cagigas.

In the final match of the day, Pena notched his first collegiate singles win in straight sets, downing Sebastian Mezo, 6-3, 6-1, on court six.

QUOTING COACH STEVE SECORD
"We started off solid in doubles at all three spots. I think this point will continue to be important all season. All six guys competed pretty well in singles. I think if a few finish in straight sets, then this match isn't as tight. But it was tight and the guys responded well at the end during crunch time. It feels good to get that first win!

UP NEXT
JMU is back on the road next Friday, March 12 to take on Old Dominion. The opening serve from Norfolk, Va., is set for a 1 p.m. start.