THE LEAD
The #5 seeded DBU men's tennis team defeated #3 seed Judson University today in a dogfight of a 5-4 match. Down 2-1 following the doubles, the Patriots rallied and raised their game on all six singles courts. Freshman Jacob Delao was first off with a tough loss at the line 6 spot, making the overall score 3-1 with Judson in the lead. Shortly after that, Isaac Childs enthusiastically and energetically took charge of his match and got the victory in two sets, closing the gap of the overall score to 3-2. 
 
Within one minute, senior Jordan Jackson also sealed a victory at the line 3 spot with another two-set win, bringing the overall score to 3-3.  With three matches still on, the atmosphere of competitiveness continued to mount: whichever team could win two of the last three matches would win the match. Freshman, Nick Gilmore dropped his match at the line 2 position, with Judson now up 4-3. Meanwhile, on line 1 junior Cannon Jones was battling in a third set battle and on line 4 freshman Riley Smith was also beginning a third set. 
 
Jones had fought out his first set but suffered a setback of a second set, dropping it with a convincing 6-0.  The beginning of his third set proved to be going in his opponents favor as he was down 2-0.  After losing the last 8 consecutive games, the warrior in Cannon came out and he held serve to get it back to 2-1. He scratched and clawed his way back into the match and finally got his rhythm, confidence and energy back.  Within 45 minutes he had sealed his victory with a 6-3 set to close out his match and thus bring the overall score to 4-4. All eyes were on freshman Riley Smith, who had won his first set, dropped his second and was down 2-0 in the third. He fought back and went down 3-2, went up 4-3, 5-4 and then 6-5. The Judson player brought it back to a tiebreaker and by this time both players had been playing about 3 hours and 45 minutes with a court index in the 90's.
 
Riley stayed as mentally and physically strong at the level of a player with far more experience, and his desire to get the match for the team was evident to everyone watching.  While down 4-2 in the breaker, he fought back to 4-4 and then dropped the next point which put him down 5-4. However, that would be the last point he lost as he would go on to win the next three to put him at 7-5 in the breaker and winning the final point for the men to defeat Judson 5-4. 
 
The men's team dropped their match against Oklahoma Baptist University 5-0.  OBU is currently ranked #38 in Division II and proved to be too much for the Patriots today.
 
RESULTS
DBU 5, JU 4
DBU 0, OBU 5
 
Singles Competition
1. Cannon Jones (DBU) def. John Mittvick (JUD) 6-3, 0-6, 6-3
2. Elisha Hougland (JUD) def. Nick Gilmore (DBU) 7-5, 6-1
3. Jordan Jakson (DBU) def. Erik Jorsal (JUD) 7-5, 6-3
4. Riley Smith (DBU) def. Carlos Clerins (JUD) 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Isaac Childs (DBU) def. Joshua Gronowski (JUD) 6-4, 6-4
6. Riley Rowan (JUD) def. Jacob Delao (DBU) 6-1, 6-3
 
Doubles Competition
1. John Mittvick/Elisha Hougland (JUD) def. Cannon Jones/Nick Gilmore (DBU) 8-3
2. Riley Smith/Isaac Childs (DBU) def. Joshua Gronowski/Erik Jorsal (JUD) 8-4
3. Riley Rowan/Carlos Clerins (JUD) def. Jordan Jackson/Jacob Delao (DBU) 8-5
 
Singles Competition
1. Kevin Andrusch (OBU) def. Cannon Jones (DBU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Lucas Castelo Branco (OBU) def. Nick Gilmore (DBU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Matias Le Fort (OBU) vs. Jordan Jackson (DBU) 6-2, 2-1 DNF
4. Gianluca Galdi (OBU) vs. Riley Smith (DBU) 6-1, 5-2 DNF
5. Babji Atturu (OBU) vs. Isaac Childs (DBU) 6-1, 5-2 DNF
6. Patrick Sims (OBU) vs. Jacob Delao (DBU) 6-3, 5-0 DNF
 
Doubles Competition
1. Kevin Andrusch/Gianluca Galdi (OBU) def. Cannon Jones/Nick Gilmore (DBU) 8-3
2. Thomas Ackerknecht/Luis Romero (OBU) def. Riley Smith/Isaac Childs (DBU) 8-3
3. Lucas Castelo Branco/Matias Le Fort (OBU) def. Jordan Jackson/Jacob Delao (DBU) 8-0
 
RILEY SMITH ON PLAYING HIS GAME
"I knew if I kept my emotions in check and focused on playing my game, then everything would go as planned...Prior to the match I told my teammates we shouldn't be happy playing at Nationals, we should be happy coming off the court with a win."
 
COACH SARAH GRAY ON SMITH STEPPING UP AND THE FIGHT IN THE TEAM
"Riley's mentality superseded his collegiate tennis experience.  To push the team to find another level and beat a team who was seeded above them was huge.  He stepped up big time and held the guys accountable for coming off the court with a win, and they stepped up to that challenge!  I am incredibly proud of this team NOT for their result but for their character, grit, fight, camaraderie and exceptional maturity and sportsmanship today.  This will always be a memorable match for me as a coach.  It is my most favorite match to coach due to the battle that the young men fought today... a very special match."  
 
UP NEXT
Men's tennis will be facing off against Campbellsville University at 8:30 tomorrow morning in round 3 of the NCCAA Championships in Mobile, Alabama.