Milligan University

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Milligan University men's and women's tennis squads traveled to Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday afternoon for a pair of Appalachian Athletic Conference matchups against Johnson University Royals. The (RV) men's team picked up a crucial 5-2 victory that secured their place as the No. 3 seed heading into the AAC Tournament, while the women's squad battled hard but dropped a tight 4-3 decision.

Men's BOX SCORE | Women's BOX SCORE

The men kicked things off in doubles, where the point came down to the final two matches. Bryant Morales and Brayden Kennedy took the No. 2 position 6-4, and Gonzaga Lafarga and Phil Schollhorn clinched the point with a 7-5 win at No. 3. Michal Curlej and Martin Mercarder fell 3-6 at No. 1.

In singles, Lafarga dropped the No. 1 match 2-6, 1-6. Curlej answered at No. 2 with a 6-3, 6-0 win. Schollhorn came through at No. 3, dropping the first set 6-7 before rallying to take the next two 6-5, 6-1. Mercarder closed out the team victory at No. 4 with a 6-3, 6-1 win. Kennedy fell 3-6, 1-6 at No. 5. Matias Angulo capped the afternoon at No. 6, dropping the first set 3-6 before grinding out a 7-5, 10-8 victory.

The women's match ended up coming down to the doubles point which the Royals captured. Madison Berry and Melissa Duarte dropped a tight No. 1 match 4-6, but Lauren Wimmer and Parker White bounced back to win the No. 2 match 6-3. In the deciding No. 3 slot, Laurel Rich and Tara Stewart put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell 4-6, giving Johnson an early 1-0 advantage.

In singles, Duarte fell in No. 1 singles in a hard-fought three-set battle, dropping the opener 2-6, rallying to take the second 6-4, and coming up just short in the third 3-6. Lee Anne Endler bounced back for Milligan at No. 2 singles with a 7-6, 6-0 victory. Stewart kept things going at No. 3 singles, posting a 6-1, 6-1 triumph. Berry added a win at No. 4 singles to push the Buffs' singles total to three on the afternoon. White dropped No. 5 singles and Rich fell 4-6, 1-6 at No. 6 singles, giving Johnson enough to hold on for the 4-3 final.

Next up for both squads will be a trip to Campbellsville, Ky. for a pair of tune-up matches ahead of the AAC Tournament. The Buffs will open with a matchup against Campbellsville University on Friday, April 10 at 4 p.m. before turning around to face Brescia University on Saturday, April 11.