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VALDOSTA, Ga. – The fourth-ranked Columbus State University men's tennis team was handed its first defeat of the season on Friday, falling 5-4 at fifth-ranked Valdosta State. The match was played in Valdosta, Ga.
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The loss sends the Cougars to 6-1 on the season.
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The Cougars were off to a strong start on Friday, winning two of the three doubles matches.
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Second-ranked
KP Pannu and
Alvaro Regalado opened with an 8-3 win at the top spot with
Shao-Yu Yu and
Arnold Kokulewski grabbing an 8-4 victory at third doubles.
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Valdosta State (4-1) tallied a 9-8 win in a tiebreak over 24
th-ranked
Matei Avram and
Zach Whaanga at second doubles. The Blazers then battled back for four singles wins to earn the win.
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In a battle of nationally-ranked players at third singles, Regalado was dominant in a 6-4, 6-0 triumph. Avram was also victorious, winning 6-1, 6-0 at fifth singles.
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Top-ranked Pannu lost 6-3, 6-3 in another ranked battle, while No. 18 Whaanga was bested 6-1, 0-6, 6-1 in three sets.
Paul Sprengelmeijer dropped a 6-4, 6-2 match at fourth singles and
Jorge Vargas lost 7-5, 6-4 in the sixth position.
The high-profile matches continue for the Cougars on Saturday, as they will take on second-ranked Barry in a neutral site contest. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. in Valdosta.
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Singles competition
1. #14 Jordi Mas (VSUMT) def. #1
KP Pannu (CSU-M) 6-3, 6-3
2. Florian Simbozel (VSUMT) def. #18
Zach Whaanga (CSU-M) 6-1, 0-6, 6-1
3. #22
Alvaro Regalado (CSU-M) def. #24 Francisco Yim Kim (VSUMT) 6-4, 6-0
4. Xavier Pineda (VSUMT) def.
Paul Sprengelmeijer (CSU-M) 6-4, 6-2
5.
Matei Avram (CSU-M) def. Axel Holm (VSUMT) 6-1, 6-0
6. Davis Stewart (VSUMT) def.
Jorge Vargas (CSU-M) 7-5, 6-4
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Doubles competition
1. #2
KP Pannu/
Alvaro Regalado (CSU-M) def. Jordi Mas/Florian Simbozel (VSUMT) 8-3
2. Francisco Yim Kim/Fernando Rivas (VSUMT) def. #24
Matei Avram/
Zach Whaanga (CSU-M) 9-8 (7-4)
3.
Shao-Yu Yu/
Arnold Kokulewski (CSU-M) def. Axel Holm/Xavier Pineda (VSUMT) 8-4
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