Due West, SC – Despite losing 8-1 to conference foe Lees-McRae College, the injury-riddled Erskine Men’s Tennis played valiantly dropping two singles sets in the tie-breaker and losing two doubles matches late.  The loss drops the Flying Fleet to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in conference while the Lees-McRae Bobcats pick up their first win of the season at 1-3 overall and 1-0 in conference.

Erskine lost #2 and #3 doubles 8-5 but neither match was decided until late.  Seniors Angelo Ciarrocchi (Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Theodor Herzl High School) and Vincent Chauvette (Levis, Quebec, Canada, Ecole Pointe-Levy) lost at #1 doubles 8-3.   Ciarrocchi, who is playing through an injury, was unable to play in his #1 singles match.

With everyone moving up at least one spot, Erskine lost five of the six singles matches.  Sophomore Jack West (Belton, SC, Emerald High School) won his opening set against Alexander Hayes at #2 singles but lost a close second set 6-4 and lost the tie-breaker 10-7.  The tie-breaker is the first to win ten points and must win by two points.  Junior Matthew Twitty (West Columbia, SC, Brookland-Cayce High School), who was pressed into action at the last minute due to an injury, bounced back after losing his first set 6-1 to force the tie-breaker by winning 7-6 (7-2) in the second set.  Twitty lost the tie-breaker 10-5.  Freshman Connor Roy (Greenville, SC, Travelers Rest High School) won the Fleet’s only point battling back after losing his first set 6-3 to win the second set 6-3 and the tie-breaker 10-6.  Freshman Robert Clarke (Due West, SC, Belton-Honea Path High School), who was also pressed into duty due to an injury, played well at #5 singles losing 6-3, 6-3.

Erskine goes on the road for their next two conference matches.  On Friday, the Fleet travel to Gaffney, South Carolina, for their next match to play in-state conference opponent Limestone College.  Match time is set for 3:00 p.m.  On Saturday, the Fleet continue their road trip up to Misenheimer, North Carolina, to play Pfeiffer University at 2:00 p.m.

Box Score