LEXINGTON, VA- The Juniata and Messiah men's tennis teams battled in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at the Washington and Lee tennis courts. The Eagles trailed 2-1 after doubles but rallied to take four singles matches and win 5-3.
The lone Eagle win came at third doubles. With first and second doubles already completed, Mike Lifshitz (Worcester, MA/Worcester Academy) and Bryan Gregory (Glen Mills, PA/Garnet Valley) went toe-to-toe with Devin Esch and Connor Graybeal. The pair was able to gut out an 8-6 victory.
Juniata was behind 3-1 at the completion of sixth singles. Dean Polisena's (Adelaide, Australia/St. Ignatius) convincing 6-1, 6-2 decision over Mike Brookhart got JC to 3-2. Rallies in the fourth, fifth, and third flights proved to be the difference-maker of the day for the Eagles.
Logan Moore (Chadds Ford, PA/Unionville) trailed 3-0 in his first set with Devin Esch but came roaring back with four straight points to eventually win 6-4. He took the second game 6-3 and the match was tied 3-3.
Lifshitz was behind 5-3 but rallied to win 7-5 in the first frame and took the second 6-3 over Connor Graybeal. Gregory was behind in his opening set with Peter Shich, 4-1, and recovered to win 6-4. His 6-3 triumph in the second game was the clinching win for the Eagles.
JC's overall record improves to 17-4 and ties the program record for wins, which was set last season. Juniata now moves on to tomorrow's second round match against #4 Emory. Start time will be at 2 p.m.
