Defiance Notches First Win of Season at Spring Tennis Fest

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.  – The Yellow Jacket men's tennis team won its first match of the season on Wednesday over Roosevelt University. Defiance did not drop a set in the victory. In the first match of the day DC lost in a highly competitive contest by a score of 5-4 to Salem State.

Against Roosevelt, the Purple and Gold set the tone from the beginning. DC jumped out to a 3-0 lead after doubles play. Senior Trevor Ault and freshman Ryan Nelson cruised to a 8-3 victory, while Craig Bills and Cord Speelman blanked Roosevelt at two doubles 8-0.

Defiance used the momentum from doubles and dominated singles the singles matches. Defiance allowed no Roosevelt player to win more than five games in the two sets combined for each match in singles. Nelson and Bills each won their matches 6-0, 6-0, while Speelman and freshman Tyler Thiel only dropped one game in their matches. The other victor was Austin Gray at one singles winning 6-4, 6-1.

In the first match of the day, the Jackets lost a nail-biter to Salem State. Defiance won one of the three doubles matches, as Ault and Nelson were victorious with a score of 8-4.

Singles play was highly competitive between the two squads. Three of the six matches went three sets. Defiance claimed victories in three of the six positions. Defiance winners were Ault, Speelman and Nelson.

With the split on the day, the Yellow Jackets overall record moves to 1-5. DC is back in action on Thursday, March 15 as it finishes up its spring break trip with a match against Illinois Springfield at 9:00 a.m.