The Rattlers men’s tennis team was defeated on Saturday against Troy University with a final score of 4-3 at the Lunsford Tennis Complex.
The team was playing extremely well throughout the doubles, but in the last set Levan Clark was injured and the doubles point went to the opponents.
“Levan was on an 11 match winning streak in singles until this match,” Coach Carl Goodman said.
The team was able to even out the score 3-3 in the singles, but the importance of winning the doubles point cost the players the match.
When you’re playing college tennis normally the doubles point is really the most crucial thing,” Goodman said. “One game in the doubles cost us the game.”
They continued on in the MEAC defeating Southern Mississippi (Sunday) 4-3. Levan Clark was unable to play in the match do to his injury.
“We had to sit my number one player out in today’s match,” Goodman said.
The Rattlers lost one match but regained another one bringing the season record to15-5. The team is still tied with South Carolina State in the Southern division. Next Saturday’s match against South Carolina will determine who will become season record champions for the South.
Highlights from the match include Chidi Gabriel and Takura Happy played exceptionally well in the doubles 8-3. Chidi Gabriel played well at number four, Temuera Asafu-Adjaye played well at number six.
“By far one of the best doubles teams Chidi and Takura played all year,” Goodman said.
The Rattlers continue on in the MEAC conference scheduled to play South Carolina State, Bethune-Cookman, Fort Valley State, Lamar University and possibly South Carolina State in the Championships at the end of April.