STATESBORO, Ga. – Under clear skies and gusty conditions the Eagles opened up the 2018 season against Mercer. The Bear downed the Eagles 5-2 to end the Blue and White's home winning streak. The wind picked up throughout the match and made it difficult for both teams to play with consistency.

The Bears jumped out to an early lead winning the doubles point, after taking the match 6-4 on both courts one and two. The Eagles regrouped and prepared for singles play. Senior captain Eddie Landin leveled the match with a 7-6, 6-2 victory on court three.

Mercer would continue to put pressure on the Eagles winning on courts two and four. The Blue and White would respond with a huge victory on court six. That victory came from freshman Pascal Wagemaker, who defeated Carver Arant in straight sets 7-6, 7-5. Wagemaker's victory was his first collegiate win with the Eagles.

The Bears would close out the match with two third set victories, after breaking the Eagles. The Blue and White will return to action this weekend traveling to Colorado to face off against Air Force and Incarnate Word.

WHAT HEAD COACH SANDER KONING SAID
"Today was a tough battle, but I do think we battled. It came down to a couple points. If you look at the set scores there were a lot of 6-4 finishes. It comes down to the little things and we need to be better in those situations and take advantages of them. In doubles we had a lot of opportunities and we didn't convert. Instead of being 1-0 up we were 1-0 down. It's the little things that hurt when you play a well-coached team like Mercer.."

SINGLES RESULTS
Philp (MU) def. Di Aloy 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Stuart (MU) def. Finkelstein 7-6, 6-4
Landin def. Gullion (MU) 7-5, 6-2
Guardia (MU) def. Suarez 7-6, 6-4
Tsiranidis (MU) def. McCullough 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Wagemaker def. Arant (MU) 7-6, 7-5
 
DOUBLES RESULTS
Philp/Stuart (MU) def. Di Aloy/Finkelstein 6-4
Guillon/Vanoppen (MU) def. Amari/Landin 6-4
McCullough/Suarez def. Tsirandis/Arant (MU) DNF

NEXT UP
The Eagles will now head to Colorado to compete against the Air Force and Incarnate Word this weekend. 
 
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