FREMONT, Neb. – It was opening day for the (RV) Southwestern College men's tennis team on Friday in Fremont, Neb., where they faced the (RV) Midland University Warriors. The bout between the two highly-touted squads ended in a Builder 5-2 loss, as they were able to snag two points in singles, but dropped the doubles point and four singles tallies.

In doubles, the Moundbuilder pairing of Benjamin Erdmann and Ryan Kitchin were defeated in a nail-biter by a final of 7-6 (7-4). Then, the second doubles grouping of Pablo Rodriguez and Albert Modol were beaten by a score of 6-4. Finally, Federico Poi and Logan Engela were dispatched by a 6-3 tally in the third doubles matchup. The doubles point went to Midland, unanimously.

Southwestern's No. 1 singles player, Poi, played a three-set barnburner in which he fell by a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Kitchin's bout as the No. 2 player was similarly engaging, as he ended up falling by a similar score, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Rodriguez's two-set, 7-5, 6-2 win was enough to earn SC their first point, while Erdmann fell in two sets by a final of 7-5, 6-4. Modol concocted a three-set victory by the final tally of 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, and Engela rounded things out with a 6-2, 6-4 loss.

After the first match of the season, Southwestern (0-1) will play again tomorrow morning against another Nebraska school in Doane University in Crete, Neb. The tilt will be played at 11 a.m. and will precede a substantial two-and-a-half week break before a battle with NCAA Division I foe, Oral Roberts University. The Builder women will also be in action against Doane. Their battle begins at 9 a.m. after the cancellation of today's match against the Warriors.

--buildersports.com--