DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Rafael Berghaus (Offenbach, Germany) won matches in both singles and doubles play on Tuesday against Bethune-Cookman, but the Presbyterian College men's tennis team fell to the Wildcats by a 6-1 margin.
PC moves to 4-8 in spring play. Bethune-Cookman improves to 5-6.
Berghaus battled to a marathon win at the first flight. The Blue Hose squared off against Marc Misanovic and gutted out an opening set win, 7-6, before falling in the second, 6-4. With victory hinging on the final set, Berghaus grabbed the win with a 6-3 third set performance. Berghaus now stands tied for the team lead in singles wins, with five.
Berghaus and doubles partner William O'Connell (Nadi, Fiji) also grabbed a win at the top flight in doubles action. The duo bested Misanovic and Kip Jackson, 8-3.
The Blue Hose did produce several close matches on the day. At No. 3, Zachary Sprouse (Hilton Head, S.C.) took one set from Santiago Lobelo, but it was not enough as the Wildcat won, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. In another three-set contest, Ryan Walters (Augusta, Ga.) fell to Gilbert Kibet, 7-6, 6-2.
Edward Snead IV (Greenwood, S.C.) also came up short against Mortiz Pronath at the fifth flight, 7-6, 6-2. O'Connell nearly won a set against Juan Varon at No. 2 before falling, 6-4, 7-5.
The Blue Hose return to action in Orlando with a pair of matches against St. Joseph's and Grand Valley State on Friday.
Singles competition
1. BERGHAUS, Rafael (PCM) def. Marc Misanovic (BCU) 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
2. Juan Varon (BCU) def. O'CONNELL, William (PCM) 6-4, 7-5
3. Santiago Lobelo (BCU) def. SPROUSE, Zachary (PCM) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
4. Diego Garvito (BCU) def. CROCKER, Nathan (PCM) 6-3, 6-2
5. Mortiz Pronath (BCU) def. SNEAD, Edward (PCM) 7-6, 6-2
6. Gilbert Kibet (BCU) def. WALTERS, Ryan (PCM) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. BERGHAUS, Rafael/O'CONNELL, William (PCM) def. Marc Misanovic/Kip Jackson (BCU) 8-3
2. Juan Varon/Santiago Lobelo (BCU) def. SNEAD, Edward/SPROUSE, Zachary (PCM) 8-5
3. Diego Garvito/Gilbert Kibet (BCU) def. CROCKER, Nathan/WALTERS, Ryan (PCM) 8-3
