GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Longwood University men's tennis team earned a 5-2 decision against Norfolk State University on Saturday afternoon in Greenville, North Carolina. The Lancers were led by sophomore Steed Johnson|Ahoskie, N.C. (Needham B. Broughton) and freshman Bharani Sankar|Glen Allen (Deep Run), who each won a singles match in addition to combining for a doubles win. Longwood returns to action on Sunday, January 27 when the squad takes on host East Carolina University beginning at 1 p.m. in Greenville.

"Today was a very hard fought battle,” said head coach Jakob Gustafsson. “Doubles turned out to be critical for us today. Then we went straight into singles and showed some great mental toughness with our wins. I'm extra proud of Bharani and Steed, who led the way in doubles and then came through with our last two wins in singles to clinch the victory."

Johnson and Sankar opened their day by defeating Grauel and Swift 8-0 in the #3 doubles position to earn the point for Longwood. Later in singles action, Johnson picked up a win in three sets 4-6, 6-0, 10-8 against Grauel at #4 and Sankar took down Swift 6-4, 6-3 at #5 to seal the victory for the Lancers. 

Longwood was also aided by an 8-6 doubles victory in the #2 position by sophomore Harry Kelleher|Sydney, Australia (St. Aloysius College) and junior Edward Becker|Sydney, Australia (Manly Selective Campus). Senior Giorgi Khmiadashvili|Tbilisi, Georgia (Public School 148) kicked off singles competition with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win at #1. Sophomore Daniel Elston|St. Austell, Cornwall, England (Ralph Allen School) followed with a 6-3, 6-4 victory at #2.

Khmiadashvili and Elston faced an 8-5 setback in the #1 doubles position, while Kelleher and Becker fell at #3 and #4, respectively, in singles competition.

Singles
1. Khmiadashvili WON against Braga 6-2, 7-6 (4)
2. Elston WON against Zymantovic 6-3, 6-4
3. Kelleher LOST to Riethmueller 0-6, 2-6
4. Becker LOST to Pello 5-7, 4-6
5. Johnson WON against Grauel 4-6, 6-0, 10-8
6. Sankar WON against Swift 6-4, 6-3

Doubles
1. Elston/Khmiadashvili LOST to Pello/Zymantovic 8-5
2. Kelleher/Becker WON against Riethmuller/Braga 8-6
3. Johnson/Sankar WON against Grauel/Swift 8-0