THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University men's tennis team claimed the doubles point against Southern, but the Colonels came up just short in singles play, falling 4-3 to Southern University on Wednesday afternoon at the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.

Nicholls (4-10) opened the match by taking two completed doubles contests to earn the opening point. The duo of Mitchell Spence and Colin Tavares handled Southern's top pair, 6-3, while Felipe Spagnuolo and Mateo De Los Santos matched that score on court two to clinch the point. The third doubles match featuring Mitchell Armbruster and Arthur Oliani was left unfinished with the score tied at 5-5.

However, Southern responded by winning the final four singles matches to complete the comeback. 

Tavares was forced to retire after taking the first set on court one, tying the match at 1-1. But Oliani put Nicholls back on top with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 3. Southern secured straight-set victories on courts four and six to grab a 3-2 advantage. The lead was short-lived as Spagnuolo evened it back up with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 2.

The deciding point came down to No. 5 and after a close first set, Southern's Zachery Byng secured the team victory with a 7-5, 6-1 triumph.

The teams split the season series with each squad winning on the road. Nicholls claimed a 5-2 win in late February. 

Up Next
Nicholls will head to South Texas for its next two league matches, starting with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, April 4. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.