FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University men's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision to Big South Conference and in-state rival Liberty University (8-8, 1-2 BSC) on Thursday afternoon at the Lancer Courts in Farmville. The Lancers were led by junior Daniel Elston/St. Austell, Cornwall, England, who earned a win at the No. 1 singles spot. Longwood (1-13, 0-5 BSC) will return to action on Saturday, March 29 when the team hosts Coppin State University at 11 a.m.

"This was an extremely hard fought match from beginning to end," said head coach Jakob Gustafsson. "We were extremely close to winning the doubles, which would have changed the momentum of the match completely. As told by the individual scores, a few points here or there could have changed everything. We will come back even more determined for our next match, as we keep building and improving."

Elston defeated Egon Samaii 6-2, 6-4 in the top position for the Lancers. In the remaining singles action, freshman Warren Bryan/Greensboro, N.C. bested Stan Vaughan 7-6, 7-6 in the No. 4 position. Senior Edward Becker/Sydney, Australia and junior Steed Johnson/Ashokie, N.C. both faced setbacks, as Becker dropped a 6-2, 7-6 match at the No. 2 spot and Johnson fell 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3. Sophomore classmates Justin Higgs/Nassau, Bahamas (6-7, 6-3, 6-1) and Bharani Sankar/Glen Allen (7-6, 6-7, 10-3) both dropped three-set matches at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively to round out singles play.

In doubles action, Elston and Becker were outdueled 8-7 in the No. 1 position. Bryan and Fudge (8-3), and Sankar and Higgs (8-7) were also bested in the remaining matches.

SINGLES
1. Elston WON against Samaii 6-2, 6-4
2. Becker LOST against Thomas 6-2, 7-6
3. Johnson LOST against Azuero 6-2, 6-1
4. Bryan WON against Vaughan 7-6, 7-6
5. Higgs LOST against Segur 6-7, 6-3, 6-1
6. Sankar LOST against Secanel 7-6, 6-7, 10-3

DOUBLES
1. Elston/Becker LOST against Azuero/Llamas 8-7
2. Bryan/Fudge LOST against Segur/Samaai 8-3
3. Sankar/Higgs LOST against Thomas /Vaughan 8-7