Men's Tennis | 1/29/2016 8:52:00 PM

GREENSVILLE, N.C.- East Carolina University handed the Georgia Southern men's tennis team their first loss of the spring season on Thursday, defeating the Eagles 5-2 at the indoor complex.
 
"We played a good ECU team, who were eager to play us. The credit goes out to them for playing as hard as they did," head coach Sander Koning said after the match.
 
The Pirates swept the Eagles in doubles, grabbing the 1-0 lead after winning in both the No. 1 and 2 lines. The Blue and White countered, bringing the score to 2-1 after Rise Lanne and JC Alcala closed out their No.1 and No.2 matches respectively. However, after that, ECU took over and sailed to a 5-2 victory against the Eagles.
 
East Carolina 5, Georgia Southern 2
 Singles competition 
1. Ristomatti Lanne (GSU) def. Tendai Tapfuma (ECU) 6-0, 6-2
2. Joan Carles Alcala (GSU) def. Kasey Countee (ECU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Vlad Anghel (ECU) def. Eduardo Landin (GSU) 6-3, 7-5
4. Fredric Lehfeldt (ECU) def. Nico De Groof (GSU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Ronny Georgi (ECU) def. Daniel Casablancas (GSU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Will Bissett (ECU) def. Andre Johnson (GSU) 6-2, 6-2
 
 Doubles competition 
1. Tendai Tapfuma/James Ling (ECU) def. Chris Kerrigan/Ristomatti Lanne (GSU) 7-5
2. Vlad Anghel/Fredric Lehfeldt (ECU) def. Eduardo Landin/Nico De Groof (GSU) 6-4
3. Kasey Countee/Will Bissett (ECU) vs. Daniel Casablancas/Joan Carles Alcala (GSU) 5-4, unfinished
 
QUOTABLES FROM HEAD COACH SANDER KONING
"In doubles they played more aggressive than we did, especially on the big points. We had our opportunities in doubles, we came back from a break multiple times on all the courts, but weren't able to run with the momentum when we were back on serve.
 
"After losing the doubles point, Rise and JC got us in front pretty quick by winning in straight sets. Eddie was close to turning his match around, but his opponent fought back in the second set and was able to sneak by.
 
"From that point on ECU really took control of the match and we had a hard time getting into matches. ECU didn't let up and that makes it tough to put yourself in position to win the match.
 
"The good thing is that we will play again tomorrow and the guys have to see it as an opportunity to make some adjustments from today and compete."
 
 
UP NEXT
On Saturday, the team gets a chance to get back on track, facing Winthrop at the same place. Doubles start at 11 a.m. with singles following shortly after.
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