Yellow Jackets Fall Short Against Elizabethtown

HILTON HEAD, S.C. -- The Defiance College men's tennis team dropped a 7-2 decision against Elizabethtown (Pa.) College in a non-conference dual match in Hilton Head, S.C.  The match against Penn State-Behrend was postponed due to rain.

In doubles competition, Defiance (1-4) took one of three matches with a victory at first doubles.  The duo of senior James DeMeo (Clay/Oregon) and junior Adam Swisher (Bedford, Mich./Bedford) defeated their opponent in an extended match winning via a tiebreaker, 9-8 (8-6). 

The Yellow Jackets lost the other two matches, which included another matchup that was decided by a tiebreaker at third doubles. Junior Eline Widman (Tiffin/Tiffin Colombian) and senior Brian Kurtz (Sandusky/Perkins) took their opponent the extra distance, but fell short 9-8 (7-4). 

Trailing, 2-1, heading into the singles matches, Defiance got a point from DeMeo at first singles, winning by the scores of 6-0 and 6-1.  It would be the only points for the Jackets as DC dropped the remaining matches to the Blue Jays.   

Of the remaining matches, Swisher and senior Nathan Height (Wabash, Ind./Wabash) played the two closest matches at second and sixth singles.  Swisher took three games from his opponent in both sets, but fell by identical scores of 6-3 and 6-3.  Following a 6-2 loss in the first set, Height played a tough second set and was outlasted, 7-5. 

Defiance returns to action on Wednesday, Mar. 8 when it takes on DeSales (Pa.) University at 12:30 p.m. in Hilton Head, S.C.  The match against PSU-Behrend has also been rescheduled for Wednesday and will be played at 6:30 p.m.