The DePauw men's tennis team could not overcome the third-ranked junior college team in the nation of Vincennes, as they fell 7-2 to the Trailblazers.
DePauw has lost two straight matches after being defeated by the Div. I 31st-ranked Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday, and now move to 14-6 on the season. Vincennes improved to 18-4.
Senior Eric Hubbard knew it would be a tough match against Vincennes, but the energy and focus just was not there against them.
"We have played Vincennes before, and we knew what to expect," Hubbard said. "We came out flat and didn't have the energy. It's a team we could have beaten."
DePauw managed only one win in doubles, where the tandem of senior Michael Rardon and freshman Chris Bertolini won in the third doubles slot 8-4.
DePauw's number one doubles team of Hubbard and junior David Moss fell in a very close match that ended in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-1).
DePauw again only managed one win in singles play, yet three of the six singles matches ended in three-set decisions.
Junior Noah Swiler defeated Vincennes' Fergus Knies for the only singles win for DePauw, 6-0, 6-2.
Hubbard, Moss and freshman Eric Bruynseels all battled hard in three-set matches, but all fell short of a victory. Hubbard was defeated by Rafael Bulnes 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at the third singles slot.
At the fourth singles slot, Moss fell to Edward Spillman 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, and Bruynseels fell to David White in a super tiebreaker at the fifth singles slot 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8).
The Tigers will look to bounce back from their back-to-back losses as they travel to Washington-St. Louis this Saturday.
"Wash U is always good, usually top five in the country," Hubbard said. "Our main focus should be coming out focused and to work hard for every point."
On Sunday, DePauw will take part in a NCAC conference match, as they host a showdown with Denison, another important match before their upcoming conference tournament.
"When you play tough teams like Vincennes, IU, Wash U and Denison - players need to elevate their game," Hubbard said. "The guys have really stepped up their game, and we are getting guys back from injury and illness, I think we are getting ready at the right time."
