TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Nicholls State University men's tennis team wrapped up their Florida road-trip on Tuesday with a match against Florida A&M and came up empty as the Colonels were defeated 5-2.

Nicholls (6-7) once again fell behind early when Florida A&M (13-4) took the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles spot to grab a 1-0 lead. The tandem of Damjan Despotovski and Palash Tiwari earned an 8-6 win for the Colonels in the No. 2 slot, but the Rattlers won the No. 1 match against Dmitry Kozionov/Razvan Cojocaru 8-3 and took the point for No. 3 versus Shayann Vaezzadeh/Matshidiso Malope 8-5.

In the top half of singles play, the Colonels were able to take two of the three matches. Vazzadeh battled at the No. 2 spot, coming away with a three-set 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 victory while Kozionov won the No. 3 match in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Despotovski would drop the No. 1 match 6-3, 6-3.

For the rest of singles action, FAMU, winners of six consecutive matches, took the final points with three straight-set victories. At No. 4, Tiwari fell 7-5, 6-2; Cojocura lost 6-1, 6-3 in the No. 5 position; and Malope was ousted 7-6 (2), 6-3.

The Colonels will have a week off before returning to action at the Colonel Tennis Complex when they host Cleveland State on Wednesday, March 16. First serve is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

The complete results for the match against Florida A&M are below.

Florida A&M 5, Nicholls 2
Singles competition

1. Levan Clark (FAMU) def. Damjan Despotovski (NICH) 6-3, 6-3
2. Shayann Vaezzadeh (NICH) def. Takura Happy (FAMU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-4
3. Dmitry Kozionov (NICH) def. Ivan Umnikov (FAMU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Chidi Gabriel (FAMU) def. Palash Tiwari (NICH) 7-5, 6-2
5. Michael Moore (FAMU) def. Razvan Cojocaru (NICH) 6-1, 6-3
6. Temuera Asafu-Adjaye (FAMU) def. Matshidiso Malope (NICH) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Asafu-Adjaye/Maurice Wamukowa (FAMU) def. Kozionov/ Cojocaru (NICH) 8-3
2. Gabriel/ Happy (FAMU) def. Despotovski/ Tiwari (NICH) 8-6
3. Clark/ Moore (FAMU) def. Vaezzadeh/ Malope (NICH) 8-5