SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Longwood senior men's tennis player Timéo Puech fell in straight sets on the first day of the ITA Conference Master Championship at the Barnes Tennis Center on Thursday.

Puech lost to Veljko Krstic from Elon, 6-2, 6-1. With the defeat, Puech will play a consolation draw match Friday against Sabi Roi of Belmont at a time to be announced.

Puech qualified for the tournament by winning the Big South individual men's singles crown in Rock Hill, S.C., on Oct. 6.