MURFREESBORO, N.C. (Feb. 15, 2018) — Facing its toughest opponent to date, the Salem University Tigers men's tennis team dropped its match to the Chowan University Hawks 8-1. 

A crowd of roughly 300 spectators showed for the defending Conference Carolinas champions and NCAA Tennis Sweet 16 national qualifier, creating a hostile environment for the young Tigers. In defeat, Salem showed its promise and inexperience. 

Freshman Patryk Garwacki, facing nationally ranked Ghassan Alansi, went the distance; losing in three sets after taking the first. Gregor Lainer had a breakout performance, claiming a victory in the No. 3 spot in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 10-6). 

The duo also paired well, nearly pulling an upset in taking Ghassan Alansi and Mariano Yeh down to the wire with a 9-8 (10-8) loss. 

"Today was the best tennis the Salem men's team has played up to this point," Head Coach Todd Tucker said. "The score may not show this but it's very exciting because I see our team getting better right before my eyes. 

"Gregor Lainer was outstanding in singles and doubles today. As a freshman, he's going to struggle at times, but the one thing I love is he never stops fighting and his hard work is paying off. I'm constantly pushing him to the limits and all his hard work is starting to pay off." 

Results

Doubles:

Alansi/Kaliakperov CU def Padilla/Padilla SU 8-3

Izycki/Yeh CU def Garwacki/Lainer SU 9-8 (10-8)

Prolux/Gancalves CU def Arevelo/Shultz-zwahr SU 8-2

Singles

Ghassan Alansi CU def Partyk Garwacki SU 4-6 6-3 6-3

Adi Kalikperov CU def Ivan Arevelo SU 6-2 6-2

Gregor Lainer SU def Matt Izycki CU 4-6 6-4 10-6

Mariano Yeh CU def Carlos Padilla SU 6-2 6-4

Louis Prolux CU def Landon Schultz-zwahr SU 6-2 6-2

Enrique Barge CU def Andres Padilla SU 6-4 6-1