SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State University men's tennis program (3-2) split their weekend matches with a 4-3 victory over the Ashland Eagles (2-3) on Saturday after falling to the Walsh Cavaliers by a score of 4-3 the day prior. 

Walsh

The Cavaliers were able to strike first in doubles play by taking the No. 2 doubles match by a score of 6-2, but the Lakers were able to knot things up as Aaron Osmond (Cheltenham, U.K.) and Maxence Hamon (Montreal, Quebec) teamed up for a 6-3 victory in the top doubles position. Then, with the doubles point on the line, the duo of Jordi Fraile Raton (Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain) and Raul Velasco Garcia (Barcelona, Spain) grinded out a tough 7-5 win in the No. 3 doubles match to secure the early 1-0 advantage. 

Fraile would extend the Lakers' lead to 2-0 with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in the No. 4 singles match, but the Cavaliers responded by claiming wins at both the No. 1 and No. 3 singles spots to tie up the overall match at 2-2. Freshman Lluc Limongi Ollers was able to put his team back on top with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 win in the No. 2 singles match after closing it out with a 7-5 tiebreaker to push Walsh to the brink. However, the Cavaliers were able to take both the No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches in thrilling three-set battles to secure the narrow 4-3 victory overall.

Ashland

The Lakers got off to a strong start in doubles play against Ashland with a 6-2 win at the No. 3 spot by Velasco and Fraile. The Eagles were able to claim the No. 2 doubles match, but the Lakers would ultimately secure the doubles point with a 6-3 victory from the duo of Osmond and Hamon in the top doubles position. 

Limongi extended the Lakers' lead to 2-0 with a strong 6-1, 6-2 performance in the No. 2 singles match. However, the Eagles came soaring back with wins at the No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 spots, despite Raton and Lezan Koyuncu (Cologne, Germany) each forcing a decisive third set, to take a 3-2 lead. Then, with the match on the line, Xavier Vicent Navarro (Cocentaina, Spain) shook off dropping his opening set for the 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory to tie up the match, and Velasco was able to put the Lakers over the top with a 6-3, 6-2 win at the No. 6 spot, clinching the overall victory for his team.

The Lakers return to action on Friday, Feb. 24 when they travel to take on the Lewis Flyers with the first serve scheduled for 9:30 a.m.