MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - In a rare match-up with a Division I program, Millersville men's tennis hosted Villanova Tuesday at McComsey Tennis Courts.
Carlos Martinez-Lucas scored the Marauders' lone point in 6-1 loss.
The Marauders' record fell to 2-6 with the loss, but schedule has been ultra-challenging thus far. Including Tuesday's loss to Villanova, the Marauders have lost four matches by 4-3 scores and three came to teams ranked in the Atlantic Region's top five. Villanova improved to 7-8 with the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Martinez-Lucas scored an impressive victory at No. 1 singles, defeating Villanova's top player, Alex Kim, by a 6-2, 6-3 score. The win improved Millersville's ace to 5-2 on the season. He and
Frank Yanni also nearly pulled off a victory at No. 1 doubles, losing a nail-biter to Kim and Martinez, 7-6 (8-6).
• Millersville shook up its lineup some of Tuesday's dual.
Brandon Miller saw his first action of the season, pairing with
Zach Pernia in a 6-3 loss at No. 3 doubles.
Matt Hidalgo also played his first match of the season, dropping a 6-0, 6-0 decision to Ryan Nguyen at No. 6 singles. Pernia, who was 6-1 as the Marauders' No. 6, moved up to the No. 4 flight and dropped a 6-1, 6-4 decision.
Ben Fellman also moved up in the lineup to No. 3 after playing the last six matches in the No. 4 flight.
POSTMATCH REACTION FROM COACH MATT HELSEL
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On the the team's tough schedule: "Our recorded doesn't show it, but we are very tough. We should be just about the last team anyone would want to play right now."
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On how the non-conference schedule prepares the team for the stretch run: "Our non-conference schedule acts like a pencil sharpener, and at this point in the year, we've got a pretty fine point. We have already seen this pay dividends, and I only expect it to pay off more during these last two weeks."
NOTES
• Over the last 20 years, Millersville has played just six matches against Division I teams, and five of those have come against La Salle. Millersville is 44-78 all-time against Division I programs including 5-11 against Villanova. Tuesday's match marked the first time since 2005 that Millersville and Villanova played.
• Martinez-Lucas has won five of his last six singles matches.
UP NEXT
• Millersville plays its final five regular season matches over the next 10 days. The stretch includes four home duals. The Marauders return to PSAC play on April 17 at West Chester and closes PSAC action April 21 with Shepherd at home. Senior day is Sunday, April 18 against Frostburg State.
