Bears Take Down No. 75 Alabama State

Saturday, March 30

Macon, Ga.

11 a.m.

Mercer University

Alabama State

3/30/2024 5:19:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score Box Score

MACON – Senior Samuel MacLeod rebounded from an opening-set loss at No. 5 singles with 6-1 triumphs in each of the second and third sets to provide the match-clinching point as the Mercer men's tennis team stymied visiting and 75^th-ranked Alabama State on Saturday at the LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center.

It was the fourth win in the last five outings for the Bears (5-10) who notched their fourth home win of the campaign in the process as well. The setback snapped an 11-match win streak for the Hornets (11-2) who posted a 4-3 win over visiting Dartmouth earlier this month. Saturday's decision also marked the first loss for ASU since a season-opening defeat at Auburn in mid-January.

The Orange & Black came out of the gates on fire and needed just 33 minutes to notch the double point, as well as a 1-0 lead on the team scoreboard. MacLeod and his No. 3 doubles partner, Samuel Barrow, dispatched of ASU's Lun Obrul and Sam Bajracharya by a 6-3 count, while Lucas Dini and Andrew Branicki finished off a 6-4 win on Court No. 1 four minutes later.

Dini got the momentum going in singles play with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Bajracharya at No. 2 singles, before the Hornets got on the board thanks to Alexandre Verlaguet's straight-sets triumph on Court No. 4. The hosts worked quickly to clinch the team win after that as Marceau Fouilhoux toughed out a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Matis Amier at No. 3 singles and MacLeod tacked up the match-clincher 20 minutes later.

Mercer will be back in action at home again on Monday when it laces up to take on Southern Conference rival The Citadel (7-17, 1-3 SoCon) in a 2 p.m. tilt at the LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center. Admission is free.