Pikeville, KY – The University of Pikeville men's tennis team won their sixth dual match in a row Thursday evening under the lights at Bob Amos Complex, 4-2.

The Firehawks won the doubles point and headed into singles play up 1-0. Juan Diego Alzate and Mirko Dedich did claim court one doubles 6-2 for their ninth win as a team this season.

UPIKE took a quick lead in singles with Alzate (6-1, 6-3) and Valentin Ortiz (6-2, 6-2) sweeping their courts to take a 2-1 overall lead. This is Alzate's 12th win and Ortiz's ninth.

UT-Southern took court four to tie things up at 2-2, but Dedich and Martin Lorenzo shut the door on the Firehawks to win the match 4-2. Dedich beat Shizuya Kubo 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 at No. 3 before Lorenzo put the finishing touches on the victory on court five with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Felipe Dias. This is Dedich's ninth win and Lorenzo's eighth this season as the Bears continue their winning ways.

What's Up Next
UPIKE is now 8-6 overall and 5-3 in the Mid-South Conference. They are tied for fourth place overall, behind three nationally ranked teams in Lindsey Wilson, University of the Cumberlands and Cumberland University.

They return to action tomorrow afternoon at Thomas More University for a 5:00 p.m. start against the Saints. They narrowly dropped a 4-3 decision against them last season.