The Eastern University men's tennis team jumped to a 2-1 lead after doubles competition but was only able to secure one singles point at the top spot and fell 6-3 to visiting Messiah College. Michael Roth led the way for the Eagles with wins at first singles and first doubles.

Roth and doubles partner Jordan Gates earned a hard-fought 8-5 win at the top doubles spot, and Sean McGunniss and Dan Wilson backed up that effort with a win at the third spot. Messiah's Luke Ruch and Mike Elliot secured the Falcon's only doubles point with an 8-4 win over Bryan Arnett and Taylor Kiser.

That momentum from the doubles matches was short-lived as the Eagles dropped the first set in each of the next four matches. Down a set, the Eagles rallied to send three of the four matches to third sets. Roth rallied after falling 3-6 in the opening set to take the second set 6-2 and he then battled his way to a 6-4 victory in the final set.

With darkness a concern and two matches yet to get on courts, the coaches agreed to tie-breakers for the subsequent three setters, and Ruch emerged with a 7-6, 2-6, 10-7 win at three, and Elliot beat Kiser 6-4, 4-6, 10-7.

Gates and Sam Shorts were the last flight to play a full match, and it turned into a classic. Shorts took the first set 6-3 and jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second before Gates rallied to win the second 7-5. Shorts took the tie-breaker 10-8 in the gloaming of the day.

Eastern Coach Mark Spangler was a little frustrated with the three set losses, but was appreciative of the good level displayed by both teams. "We need to win singles points, " he said, "and that is on us. We only won one of four three set matches today, and that is the difference. If the three that we had to settle in tiebreakers had gone three full sets, maybe we get a different result, but the guys knew what needed to get done, and we fell short today. Michael really bounced back with a great win in his singles match, and I hope we as a team can build on those moments."

The Eagles will have little time to rest, as they host Freedom Conference foe Wilkes University tomorrow for a 1:00 pm match.

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