Men's Tennis loses heartbreaker to UT Tyler

BOX SCORE Tyler, TX -- The Millsaps tennis team lost a heartbreaker to the UT Tyler Patriots in Tyler on Saturday, 5-4. The Patriots, ranked #23 nationally, won four singles matches to come from behind and defeat the Majors.

The Majors came out with great energy and played well in doubles. At #3 doubles, UT Tyler earned the first point of the match with a win by Cunningham and Elwood over Cooper Cearley and Cameron Doles. While this match was finishing, the #2 doubles team of Diego Marti Vertiz and Brandon Beck were in a tight one against the #6 ranked team in the West region of Gomez and Fischer. Marti Vertiz and Beck served for the match at 7-5 but could not close it out. This only added to the suspense as they clinched the match with an impressive break of serve 8-6. At #1 doubles the pairing of Alejandro Centurion and Davis Plummer had a thrilling comeback against Fagundes and Hadlich, the #8 ranked team in the West. Centurion and Plummer, #14 nationally, were down 4-7 and needed to break back twice to hold of defeat picked up their play at the right time. The Majors held serve to go up 8-7 and put every return in play to force a match point in the next game. One big forehand down the line by Plummer and the duo put the Majors up 2-1 after doubles.

Even with a 2-1 lead, Millsaps knew the singles would be a battle against such an experienced team. UT Tyler would win at #1 and #4 singles to take the lead back 3-2. Henry Friedler would help tie the match at 3-3 in a back and forth battle at the #3 position. He dominated the first set 6-2, then Rodriguez picked up his play to force a third. In the third set it was all Friedler. He won the decisive set 6-2. Centurion at the #2 spot would play the most entertaining match of the day. Both sets went to tie breaks and he was able to win both in dramatic fashion to give the Majors a 4-3 lead. Unfortunately, the experience of the Patriots showed in the last two singles matches as they were able to win on their home courts at #5 and #6. The 5-4 loss was tough to take, but it showed that the Majors are ready to compete against any team this season.

The loss moved the Majors to 4-2 on the year with one more match to play in Texas on Sunday against Austin College.

Recruits, fans and students can also follow all of the Majors Tennis updates on Twitter @MillsapsTennis and Instagram at millsaps_tennis.

Follow the Major Men's and Women's Tennis teams and the rest of Millsaps athletics on Facebook at Millsaps Major Athletics, Twitter @MajorAtheltics, and Instagram @GoMajors. Show your support for your favorite team by using the hashtags GoMajors and MajorPlay.

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Players Mentioned

Cooper Cearley: 6' 5"; Sophomore

Cameron Doles: 5' 8"; Junior

Davis Plummer: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Brandon Beck: 5' 9"; Freshman

Henry Friedler: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Cooper Cearley
: 6' 5"; Sophomore

Cameron Doles
: 5' 8"; Junior

Davis Plummer
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Brandon Beck
: 5' 9"; Freshman

Henry Friedler
: 5' 11"; Sophomore