MASON, Texas – McMurry men's tennis saw its modest two-match win streak come to a halt as it lost a 7-2 Heartland Conference decision to St. Mary's University, ranked No. 27 in the nation and second in the NCAA II South/Central Region.
 
Two of the three doubles matches went to an extra set. The Rattlers ended up taking all three doubles bouts and the big lead in the team score.
 
McMurry's only victories of the afternoon came from its Nos. 4 and 5 singles players, Casjen Rico and Cristiano Mendes.  Rico earned a grueling three-set win over SMU's Jared Fellows, 6-7, 6-4, 10-3, at the fourth spot. The win was Rico's team-leading 17th (17-3) of the year.
 
At No. 5 singles, Mendes blanked the Rattler's Matt Banner in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Mendes improved to 10-9 on the year, second only to Rico for singles victories for McM.
 
At No. 1 singles, the War Hawks' Felipe Cruz lost a tough three-set match to Philipp Raickovic, 6-7, 6-3, 10-8.
 
McMurry will play a morning match for the third-consecutive day on Saturday as it travels across town to face Hardin-Simmons University at 10 a.m. 

#27 St. Mary's 7, McMurry University 2
Apr 18, 2014 at Mason, Texas

Singles competition

1. Philipp Raickovic (STMU) def. Felipe Cruz (MCMMT) 6-7, 6-3, 10-8

2. Michael Maciel (STMU) def. Chris Breaux (MCMMT) 6-1, 6-3

3. Bob Resink (STMU) def. Preston Steblein (MCMMT) 6-2, 6-2

4. Casjen Rico (MCMMT) def. Jared Fellows (STMU) 6-7, 6-4, 10-3

5. Cristiano Mendes (MCMMT) def. Matt Banner (STMU) 6-0, 6-0

6. Carlos Olea (STMU) def. Tom Weir (MCMMT) 6-0, 6-1

 

Doubles competition

1. Philipp Raickovic/Matt Banner (STMU) def. Chris Breaux/Casjen Rico (MCMMT) 9-7

2. Jared Fellows/Michael Maciel (STMU) def. Felipe Cruz/Dani Perez (MCMMT) 9-8 (8-6)

3. Brien Galon/Bob Resink (STMU) def. Preston Steblein/Dustin Douglas (MCMMT) 8-4

 

Match Notes

McMurry University 9-11, 3-2 HC; Regional ranking #7

St. Mary's 11-9, 5-1 HC; National ranking #27; Regional ranking #4

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