Lehigh University
Army
Mountain Hawks drop heartbreaker to Army 4-3
4/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
The Mountain Hawks started strong as Ty Esler and Randall Smalley teamed for an 8-4 win at first doubles and Ryan Lloyd and Brad Nelson picked up a win at third doubles.
In singles play, Lehigh extended its lead as Smalley topped Sebastian Salas in straight sets in second singles and Lloyd had an easy victory 6-3, 6-1 at third singles. Lloyd’s victory would be the last for Lehigh on the afternoon. Army picked up hard earned straight set wins at fourth and sixth singles and Lehigh had a pair of chances, but Ty Esler dropped a tough three-setter to Carl Fisher and then with all eyes on the match at fifth singles, the Black Knight’s Kyle Roybal beat Brad Nelson in a dramatic third set tiebreaker.
“I’m stunned. We lost 4-3 to three of our toughest opponents: Colgate, Navy and Army,” said head coach Dave Shook after the match. “We we’re so close each time; we’re right there with them.”
There’s little time for rest for the Mountain Hawks who return to action on Friday when they will visit Bucknell. First serve set for 1:00 from Lewisburg.
Lehigh vs. Army Doubles
- Esler/Smalley (LU) def. Fisher/Kang (A) 8-4
- Salas/Roybal (A) def. Nespoli/Shapiro (LU) 8-3
- Lloyd/Nelson (LU) def. Collins/Good (A) 8-4
Lehigh vs. Army Singles
- Carl Fisher (A) def. Ty Esler (LU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
- Randall Smalley (LU) def. Sebastian Salas 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
- Ryan Lloyd (LU) def. Michael Good (A) 6-3, 6-1
- Eddie Kang (A) def. Alfredo Fernandez-Concha 7-5, 7-6 (8-6)
- Kyle Roybal (A) def. Brad Nelson 6-2, 6-7 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3)
- Kevin Harris (A) def. John Nespoli (LU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
