Charlotte Narrowly Escapes to Edge the Bulldogs, 4-3

Sophomore James Atkinson captures a singles victory in the No. 4 position against Charlotte.

Boxscore

Charleston, S.C.-  David Orces, James Atkinson and Elliott Sperr captured singles victories against Charlotte in a heart breaking 4-3 loss at the Earle Tennis Center. The Citadel tennis team has dropped to 4-7 on the season while the 49ers improved to 7-4.

Orces in the No. 1 position captured a point for the Dogs defeating Jack Williams in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4. The Bulldogs' junior picked up his fourth win on the season, improving his record to 4-4.

In the No. 4 spot, Atkinson defeated his 49ers rival Paul Cisti 6-3, 6-2 to capture his first singles win at home and raise his record to 5-6.

Sperr, the Dogs' singles leader, defeated Anthony Davidson in a thrilling three-set match. The sophomore battled his foe in the first set and won 7-6. Davidson evened the playing field by winning the second set 6-3, but Sperr outplayed Davidson in the deciding set to win 10-6. With the win, Sperr improved his record to 7-4.

Although the Bulldogs did not win the doubles point, the duo of Alex Howle and Sperr won in the No. 3 position over Cisti and Davidson 8-6. With that victory, the Dogs claimed their first doubles win at home this season. The Citadel duo leads the team with a 5-6 record.

After the 49ers took the doubles point, the Bulldogs could not hold off Charlotte in the second, third, and fifth singles positions.

The Dogs will take a day off before returning to the courts to take on first-time opponent Buffalo. The Citadel will take on the Bulls on Monday at 1 p.m., at the Earle Tennis Center.

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