BRYN MAWR, Pa. – The Thomas Jefferson University men's tennis team (3-2) nearly defeated Division I Villanova in the Rams' spring opener on Friday night, but ultimately fell to the Wildcats on the road by a 4-3 score.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jefferson took the doubles point to start the match. The teams split decisions at second and third doubles before Hubert Theriault and German Lopez Andujar combined to pick up a 6-4 victory at first doubles to give the Rams the lead.
 
Villanova started strong in singles, winning the fourth and fifth flights to take a 2-1 advantage. Theriault continued his stellar play, earning a 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 win in the top spot to even the match at two apiece. Mario Antonio was victorious in three sets at third singles to put Jefferson on the cusp of victory. However, the Wildcats came back to take second and sixth singles for the narrow win.
 
DOUBLES RESULTS
1. Hubert Theriault/German Lopez Andujar (JEFFMTEN) def. Matthew Jones/Josh Robinson (NOVA) 6-4
2. Eitan Khromchenko/Trey Fourticq (NOVA) def. E. Soto Ballester/Jamil Racho (JEFFMTEN) 6-2
3. Mario Antonio/Odissey Kavak (JEFFMTEN) def. Justin Suarez/Anthony Prokurat (NOVA) 6-1
 
SINGLES RESULTS
1. Hubert Theriault (JEFFMTEN) def. Josh Robinson (NOVA) 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
2. Trey Fourticq (NOVA) def. German Lopez Andujar (JEFFMTEN) 7-5, 3-6, 6-0
3. Mario Antonio (JEFFMTEN) def. Eitan Khromchenko (NOVA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
4. Matthew Jones (NOVA) def. Odissey Kavak (JEFFMTEN) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
5. Alex Kim (NOVA) def. E. Soto Ballester (JEFFMTEN) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
6. Ryan Nguyen (NOVA) def. Jamil Racho (JEFFMTEN) 6-2, 6-1
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson does not return to action until Saturday, March 12 when the Rams host Adelphi at 12 p.m.