FARMVILLE (Va.) -- West Virginia Wesleyan dropped a 5-4 decision at Longwood University here Sunday afternoon to suffer their first dual defeat of the season.
The 'Cats (4-1) fell behind 2-1 after doubles and were unable to overtake the Lancers, a Division I program and member of the Big South Conference.
Ramon Rodriguez (pictured) and Pedro Nassar each won their singles matches in straight sets, and combined for the 'Cats only doubles point with an 8-4 win in the No. 2 position.
Timothy Stephens captured a 6-2 6-2 win at No. 6 singles to complete the scoring for Wesleyan.
After Longwood won at No. 3 doubles, Rodriguez and Nassar evened the match at 1-1.
On the No. 1 doubles court, Nathan Sabate and Ferran Berga battled back from 4-1 deficit to take a lead then and served for the match at 7-6. The Lancers broke back, and then garnered another break to take the match and give LU a 2-1 lead heading into singles.
Longwood avoided any drama by sweeping through the Bobcats at No. 2 and No. 4 singles, for a 4-1 lead before Rodriguez and Nassar brought the 'Cats back to 4-3 with their wins.
At No. 1 singles, Sabate fought off several set points in set one, but eventually dropped the first set tie-breaker 7-3. The second set was close as well, but Sabate fell 6-4 to clinch the match for the Lancers.
Stephens provided the final margin.
The Bobcats return to action Monday at Barton College in Wilson, N.C.
The 4-3 Bulldogs are on a four-match win streak and are currently 3-0 in the Carolinas Conference.
Wesleyan is 0-3 in the all-time series with Barton, having last met in 2005 when the Bulldogs beat the 'Cats 8-1 in Wilson.
Match time is set for 2 p.m. at the Bulldog Tennis Complex.
