Bellarmine University men’s tennis team ended its season on April 14 after a close 4-3 defeat to Austin Peay in the opening round of the ASUN Championship at the FGCU Tennis Complex in Fort Myers, Florida.
The match was competitive from the start, with Austin Peay taking an early lead by winning doubles matches at both No. 1 and No. 2 positions to secure the doubles point. This gave them a 1-0 advantage heading into singles play.
In singles, Bellarmine players fought back strongly. Ryan Parkins leveled the score by winning his match at No. 4 singles in three sets, overcoming a second-set loss for a final score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. Colby Berson added another point for Bellarmine at No. 6 singles after rallying from behind to win his match in three sets as well: 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Matthew Nice contributed an important victory at No. 1 singles with another three-set win that kept Bellarmine close throughout the contest. However, Austin Peay clinched the deciding point with a narrow three-set victory at No. 5 singles and advanced further in the tournament.
Four out of six singles matches went to three sets, reflecting how closely matched both teams were during this opening-round encounter.
With this result, Bellarmine finishes its season with an overall record of four wins and sixteen losses.
