Men's Tennis | 4/3/2018 12:14:00 PM

Milligan College, Tenn. - SCAD Men's Tennis took their longest road trip of the season to play away matches against conference opponents Milligan and Bluefield over the weekend. The Bees left hoping to end their winless streak in a season marred by a short roster.

Play opened on Friday against the Milligan Buffalos, with the Bees down 3-0 before a ball had been struck. They were quick to reduce the deficit however, striking out in both doubles matches played to bring the total score to 3-2. Alberto Menendez and Jordan Skalet made quick work at #1 doubles with an 8-3 win, before Lautaro Monardo and Jonah Tewes-McCoy earned a hard-fought win at #2 doubles 8-6.

With momentum swinging their way, the SCAD team came out with fighting spirit in the singles. Lautaro Monardo and Jordan Skalet wasted little time, sweeping to 6-0, 6-3 and 6-3, 6-3 victories at #4 and #2 singles respectively. Jonah Tewes-McCoy battled before falling in three sets, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1. With the match tied at 4-4, Junior Alberto Menendez came from behind after dropping the first set 5-7. Menendez kept working, pushing his way to 6-4, 6-3 wins in the final two sets to earn the Bees their first win of the season.

"I'm so proud of the guys for never quitting. It's been a challenging season, but they've never phoned it in, continuing to fight each and every match. I can't wait to see their hard work pay off next season as we return to a full roster," Coach Amyn Mukadam said.

SCAD Atlanta 5
Milligan College 4

#1 Doubles: Menendez/Skalet (SCAD) def. Crain/Moseley (MC)  8-3
#2 Doubles: Monardo/Tewes-McCoy (SCAD) def. Crear/Graalman (MC) 8-6
#3 Doubles: Lyttle/Peacock (MC) by Default
 
#1 Singles: Alberto Menendez (SCAD) def. Mason Grear (MC) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
#2 Singles: Jordan Skalet (SCAD) def. Taylor Graalman (MC) 6-3, 6-3
#3 Singles: Charlie MLautaro Monardo. Jonah Tewes-McCoy (SCAD) 2-6, 7-5, 6-1
#4 Singles: Lautaro Monardo (SCAD) def. Josh Crain (MC) 6-0, 6-3
#5 Singles: Joe Lyttle (MC) by Default
#6 Singles: Daniel Peacock (MC) by Default

The Bees continued North, traveling all the way to Bluefield, Virginia for their second match of the weekend. This time the doubles didn't swing their way. Menendez and Skalet earned a comfortable 8-3 victory at #1 doubles, but Bluefield took the other played line for a 4-1 win.

With their backs against the wall, the SCAD team's chances evaporated when Jonah Tewes-McCoy was forced to retire due to injury mid-way through his singles match while down a set. Even though the outcome was determined, the Bees refused to stop fighting. Lautaro Monardo cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win at #4 singles, leaving the top two lines to be decided. Alberto Menendez continued his comeback streak, taking the #1 singles in three sets after dropping the first set 7-6. Not to be outdone, Jordan Skalet also came back from a set down, earning a 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 win at #2 singles.

Bluefield College 5
SCAD Atlanta 4

#1 Doubles: Menendez/Skalet (SCAD) def. Huarachi/Kulakov (BC)  8-3
#2 Doubles: Yamada/Gutu (BC) def. Monardo/Tewes-McCoy (SCAD) 8-4
#3 Doubles: Hnatusko/Wiltshire (BC) by Default
 
#1 Singles: Alberto Menendez (SCAD) def. Satoshi Yamada (BC) 6-7(3-7), 6-4, 1-0(10-5)
#2 Singles: Jordan Skalet (SCAD) def. MLautaro Monardo) 4-6, 6-3, 1-0(10-4)
#3 Singles: Rodrigo Huarachi (BC) def. Jonah Tewes-McCoy (SCAD)  6-1, 2-0 (ret., inj.)
#4 Singles: Lautaro Monardo (BC) def. Jorge Canadas (BC) 6-3, 6-1
#5 Singles: Yaroslov Hnatusko (BC) by Default
#6 Singles: Gabe Poling (BC) by Default