Dukes Edge Chanticleers for 5-2 Victory

Sunday, March 4

Orlando, Fla.

6:30 p.m.

James Madison University

Coastal Carolina

Photo by: Cathy Kushner/JMU Athletics Communications

3/4/2018 11:58:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. – In a contest that came down to the wire, James Madison men's tennis edged Coastal Carolina 5-2 on Sunday night. With the win, JMU improved its record to 8-2 this season.

The Dukes opened the match by claiming the doubles point for the early 1-0 lead. Freshman Alvaro Arce and junior Pierre Kohler started strong with a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles. After Coastal won at No. 1 doubles, the Dukes clinched the point with a win at No. 3, as freshman Gonzalo Adis and sophomore Tate Steinour took a 7-6(2) win.

Heading over to singles action, sophomore Paul Mendoza made it a 2-0 lead with a straight-set win (6-4, 6-2) at No. 1 over Luiz Faria. CCU claimed its first point at No. 4 singles, but the Dukes came back with the next two singles points to clinch the match.

Senior Theophile Lanthiez rallied from a set down against Juan Castellanos at No. 6 singles (2-6, 6-4, 6-3) and Arce secured the win for the Dukes with a come-from-behind win at No. 2 singles versus Zak Talik (4-6, 7-6(4), 6-1). Adis also won a three setter at No. 5 singles (7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) to close out the match.

QUOTING ASSISTANT COACH JASON SINKOFF
"In our first outdoor match, we were playing a team that beat us 5-2 last year and a team that had been able to practice outdoors the past few weeks, whereas we had limited practices outside. Our guys put tremendous focus into all practices knowing we had to quickly adjust to playing outdoors. We knew coming into this match that the doubles point was going to be huge. Arce and Kohler quickly put us ahead and Steinour and Adis were very clutch in the tiebreaker to give us the doubles point. The momentum carried into singles where all the guys showed their high fitness levels and determination."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will face Duquesne on Tuesday, March 6 at noon, followed by a match against Sacred Heart on March 7. JMU will finish its Florida trip with two contests against Norfolk State and Wayne State on March 8.