DC Men's Tennis falls to Transylvania

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College Men's Tennis team fell to Transylvania Saturday afternoon, falling short in a comeback effort, 5-4.

Defiance fell behind to the Pioneers early, dropping all three doubles matches to begin the match. The team of Mike Ross and Ryan Nelson and the team of James Demeo and Tory Savage each fell to its opponents 8-4 in a close doubles set.

Cord Speelman and Justin Walker dropped the other doubles set 8-3.

Despite being down 0-3 after the doubles, the Yellow Jackets made a comeback bid in singles play.

Demeo remained perfect (6-0) in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference singles matches after a big 6-3, 6-1 victory at the four spot.

Nelson also came away with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in singles play, picking up Defiance's second win of the day.

On the wrong side of a 6-3, 6-1 match was Ross. The senior fell in the number one spot for DC, leaving the Yellow Jackets to just one single loss away from losing to Transy.

In a closer singles match, Speelman answered back with a victory for Defiance. Speelman won his first set 6-2, but had to fight to win set two with a 6-4 victory to give the Yellow Jackets their third win.

With Defiance still trailing by one and just two points left in the match, attention turned to the five and six singles matches, both of which turned to third sets to declare a winner.

Walker and Savage both dropped their first sets 6-2, but answered back to extend the match. Walker won set two 6-4, while Savage picked up a comfortable 6-2 victory in set two.

However, the Yellow Jackets were only able to pick up one of the two third sets needed. Savage fell in his third-set tiebreaker 6-2 just prior to Walker's 6-4 victory.

The loss snaps the Yellow Jackets three-game win streak in HCAC play and five-game win streak overall.

Defiance will look to rebound when Earlham travels to Defiance for a midweek game on Wednesday. The match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.