FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – After falling in a neutral site match just one week ago, Longwood men's tennis bounced back showing resiliency in the process overcoming a slow start in doubles play to down nationally-ranked Division III power Mary Washington 4-3 on their home courts Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's victory was the first for head coach Jhonnatan Medina Alvarez at the collegiate level after taking over the program in December.

"I'm extremely happy," Medina Alvarez said of his first win as a head coach. "They guys are training well and preparing well. We still have three more matches before our first conference one, and I want the guys to be at their peak once we get there."

A strong start by the Eagles in doubles play with wins on all three courts put Longwood (1-1) in an early 1-0 hole. That would change quickly.

Entering the season as the No. 122 player in Division I singles, sophomore sensation Amadeo Blasco swept away his ranked counterpart 6-2, 6-2 to set the tone for singles play and jumpstart the Lancer comeback.

Blasco headlined a Lancer singles lineup that took their respective matches at the top-four courts for the win.

Following Blasco's sweep were junior Julian Farthing at court No. 4 and freshman Raisei Sakai at court No. 3 while newcomer Valentin Popescu erased a first-set loss with back-to-back wins of his own at court No. 2.

Mary Washington's Patrick Hughes jumped out to the early 6-4 lead but a determined Popescu answered back with 6-2, 6-4 scores for the key full-set victory. The comeback win was Popescu's first in a dual match as he made a strong impression during the fall season with six wins and an appearance in the Round of 16 in ITA Regionals.

On court No. 3, Sakai took his first set 6-2 before hanging on and closing the match by a 7-6 (10-7) margin. Saturday's victory was the first for Sakai in a dual match after collecting six wins during a strong fall debut.

Meanwhile, Farthing handled the Eagles' Ryland Byrd 6-3, 6-2 to seal the win on court No. 4 as Mary Washington was able to take wins at five and six for the 4-3 final.

"Most all of our matches, we were winning at one point," Medina Alvarez said. "Two of our freshmen were able to win important matches. Even though we were playing indoors, there was a lot of adaptation to our game. I feel like we're on the right track when it comes to singles."

The Lancers have a quick turnaround as they face Howard Sunday in a neutral site bout. Doubles are set to get underway at 12 p.m. between the Lancers and Bison.

Longwood 4, Mary Washington 3
Feb. 3, 2018
Fredericksburg, Va.

Singles:
1. Amadeo Blasco (LWU) def. Matt Miles (UMW) 6-2, 6-2
2. Valentin Popescu (LWU) def. Patrick Hughes (UMW) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
3. Raisei Sakai (LWU) def. Joseph Brown (UMW) 6-2, 7-6 (10-7)
4. Julian Farthing (LWU) def. Ryland Byrd (UMW) 6-3, 6-2
5. Derek Hagino (UMW) def. Jorge Godoy (LWU) 7-6, 7-6 (10-4)
6. Cole Tecce (UMW) def. Daniel Hernandez (LWU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3

Doubles:
1. Patrick Huges/Derek Hagino (UMW) def. Amadeo Blasco/Raisei Sakai (LWU) 9-7
2. Matt Miles/Michael Fleming (UMW) def. Jorge Godoy/Valentin Popescu (LWU) 8-6
3. Moses Hutchinson/Ryland Byrd (UMW) def. Julian Farthing/Daniel Hernandez (LWU) 8-5

#GoWood