West Point, GA – The University of Pikeville men's tennis team began their 2022 with a hard-fought loss to the No. 19 ranked Point University Skyhawks, 5-2. After the Skyhawks took the doubles point, the Bears gave them all they could handle in singles, taking every match to three sets with the exception of one. Juan Diego Alzate and Mirko Dedich picked up the victories for the Bears at No. 2 and No. 3 singles.

After the loss, the Bears will return to the courts on Feb. 20 when they play at Milligan University.

How It Happened
As mentioned, the Bears dropped the doubles point against the Skyhawks to fall behind 1-0 heading into singles play. Alzate and Juan Diego Medina took their opponents to a tiebreaker at No. 2 but ultimately fell 7-4 to lose the match.

In singles play, Alzate came from behind in his win at No. 2 after dropping the first set 6-3. He won 7-5 and 6-2 to grab the point for the Bears. At No. 3, Dedich also came from behind after dropping set one. He won 7-6 (1) and a 10-5 tiebreaker in lieu of a third set after the match had already been determined.

Valentin Ortiz and Medina both won their first sets but couldn't hold on at No. 1 and No. 5 while Fernando Proano won his second set at No. 6, but fell in the final set.

What's Up Next
As mentioned, UPIKE returns to action next Sunday at Milligan College when they take on the Buffaloes at 1:00 p.m.