CLINTON, S.C. – The Longwood University men's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision to Big South Conference opponent, No. 75 Presbyterian College (12-2) on Thursday afternoon at the Templeton Tennis Courts in Clinton, S.C. The Lancers were led by senior Edward Becker/Sydney, Australia, who triumphed in both singles and doubles play. The Lancers (1-7) will head Asheville, N.C. on Saturday, March 1 when they will take on UNC Asheville beginning at 1 p.m.

"Presbyterian has a quality team and deserves to be nationally ranked," said head coach Jakob Gustafsson. "I thought we came out ready to play against them, but did not have our best day out there. We played and competed hard, and it was nice to see our senior go undefeated against such a quality team. We need to have a good day of practice tomorrow to get ready for Asheville on Saturday."

Becker provided two wins for the Lancers, beginning in doubles play when he and junior Daniel Elston/St. Austell, Cornwall, England took an 8-6 victory at the No. 1 spot over Presbyterian's Rafael Berghaus and Joel Roberts. Becker continued his winning ways in singles action, battling to a three-set victory against Berghaus in the No. 2 position (7-5, 4-6, 10-8).

In other singles action, only freshman Warren Bryan/Greensboro, N.C. was able to notch a win, defeating Roberts 7-5, 5-7, 10-8 in the No. 4 position. Juniors Elston and Steed Johnson/Ashokie, N.C. both faced setbacks, as Elston dropped a 6-2, 6-1 match at No. 1 and Johnson fell 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3. Sophomore classmates Justin Higgs/Nassau, Bahamas (6-0, 6-1) and James Fudge/Kaarst, Germany (6-1, 6-0) also faced setbacks to finish out singles play.

In doubles play, the Lancers dropped the remaining matches. At No. 2 position, Bryan and sophomore Bharani Sankar/Glen Allen were outdueled, 8-4, while Johnson and Fudge were bested, 8-4, in the No. 3 spot.

SINGLES
1. Elston LOST against Mills 6-2, 6-1
2. Becker WON against Berghaus 7-5, 4-6, 10-8
3. Johnson LOST against Miller 6-2, 6-3
4. Bryan WON against Roberts 7-5, 5-7, 10-8
5. Higgs LOST against Kelley 6-0, 6-1
6. Fudge LOST against Manzanas 6-1, 6-0

DOUBLES
1. Elston/Becker WON against Berghaus/Roberts 8-6
2. Bryan/Sankar LOST against Kelley/Miller 8-4
3. Johnson/Fudge LOST against Manzanas/Mills 8-4