RICHMOND, Ky. - Austin Peay State University men's tennis team put up a valiant fight against Eastern Kentucky, but fell in the regular season finale, 4-3, at the Tom Higgins Outdoor Courts.
The Govs (2-16, 1-4 OVC) were looking to gain some momentum before the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament next week and came out of the gates hot. Chad Woodham and Evan Bottorff whitewashed the team of Juan Soria and Eduardo Cabral (6-0) at No. 3 doubles to start things off. The Colonels (7-18, 3-3 OVC) took an early lead in No. 2 doubles, but Aleh Drobysh and Almantas Ozelis continued their fine run of form in doubles this season, defeating Ramon van Flymen and Gabriel Ruiz (6-3) at No. 1 doubles to give Austin Peay a 1-0 lead. Drobysh and Ozelis end their regular season with an unbeaten record in OVC doubles.
EKU struck back with two straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to go up in the match. However, Ozelis turned in a masterful performance, defeating van Flyman at No. 1 singles in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to tie the match up again. The Colonels won the next point in the match at No. 4 singles, but Drobysh fought bravely for a win at No. 3 singles (6-4, 7-5) to knot the match up at three a piece with one singles match to be played. Unfortunately for the Govs, EKU won that match and narrowly won by a score of 4-3 to improve to 3-3 in the OVC.
The Govs must wait to see what seed they are, who they play, and when they play next Friday in the OVC Tournament.
Eastern Kentucky 4, Austin Peay 3
Doubles
1. Aleh Drobysh/Almantas Ozelis (APSU) def. Ramon van Flymen/Gabriel Ruiz (EKU) 6-3
2. Parth Aggarwal/Guillem Sanchis (EKU) vs. Christian Edison/Timo Kiesslich (APSU) 5-3, unfinished
3. Chad Woodham/Evan Bottorff (APSU) def. Juan Soria/Eduardo Cabral (EKU) 6-0
Singles
1. Almantas Ozelis (APSU) def. Ramon van Flymen (EKU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Parth Aggarwal (EKU) def. Christian Edison (APSU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Aleh Drobysh (APSU) def. Guillem Sanchis (EKU) 6-4, 7-5
4. Gabriel Ruiz (EKU) def. Timo Kiesslich (APSU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Nicolas Castaldo (EKU) def. Jacob Lorino (APSU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Carlos Dodero (EKU) def. Chad Woodham (APSU) 6-4, 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (5,6,1,4,3,2)
