The Eastern University men's tennis team needed one more conference win to solidify the third seed in the Freedom Conference. The Eagles , however, fell just short, dropping a close match to visiting Misericordia University 5-4.

Eastern jumped out to an early 2-1 lead after doubles play. First doubles tandem, Jordan Gates and Tyler Hoagland battled down to the wire. The duo capitalized on steady baseline play by Hoagland to pick up the 9-8 win. 

The Eagles also nabbed a win at second doubles. Bryan Arnett and Dan Wilson rallied back from a 2-1 early deficit. The pair won seven straight games to take the match 8-2.

Despite the early 2-1 advantage, the Eagles sputtered in singles play. Arnett and Wilson won at second and third singles respectively.

"This was definitely a heartbreaker," explained head coach Mark Spangler. " Bryan (Arnett) contructed and finished points well today and Dan (Wilson) played great defense to pick up their singles wins. However, that last win that would've put us over the top eluded us today."

With today's loss, the Eagles finish 3-3 in Freedom Conference action. Eastern is currently in a three-way tie for third place and awaits word from the league office on how tiebreakers will be employed.

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