HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Spring Arbor University men's tennis team concluded its trip to Hilton Head with a heart-breaking 5-4 loss to Ashford University on Thursday.

The Cougars got off to a hot start claiming a pair of doubles matches against a very talented Saints squad, who had suffered just its first loss of the season the previous day. Senior Michael Darling and junior Jesse DeBoer cruised to an 8-3 victory at the No. 1 position while seniors Andrew Herlein and Andrew Fitzpatrick battled to a 9-7 win at No. 3.

Ashford (10-1) rallied back, though, with three-set wins over SAU at No. 1 and No. 2 singles before clinching the match with two more wins at No. 3 and No. 5. Herlein earned a point for the Cougars with his 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 4 and sophomore Jacob Byrd fought back to prevail 4-6, 7-6, 10-7 at No. 6.

Spring Arbor (5-12) returns to the court on Thursday, Mar. 26 when it hosts Trine University at 4 p.m.

Singles
#1 Gian Pico (AU) def. Michael Darling (SAU) 6-2, 6-7, 10-5
#2 Bart van Rooijen (AU) def. Jesse DeBoer (SAU) 7-5, 2-6, 12-10
#3 Erich Taach (AU) def. John Hall (SAU) 6-4, 6-3
#4 Andrew Herlein (SAU) def. Brayton Rasche (AU) 7-5, 6-2
#5 Alvaro Merino (AU) def. Tony Mayotte (SAU) 6-2, 6-4
#6 Jacob Byrd (SAU) def. Tommy Tyler 4-6, 7-6, 10-7

Doubles
#1 Darling / DeBoer (SAU) def. Taach / Rasche (AU) 8-3
#2 Pico / Merino (AU) def. Hall / Mayotte (SAU) 8-3
#3 Herlein / Andrew Fitzpatrick (SAU) def. van Rooijen / Lucas Benites (AU) 9-7

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