The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's tennis team fell on a neutral court, 4-3, versus Valparaiso University, Tuesday, March 13 on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL. Freshman Philip Stephens (London, England/Monkton Combe) (London, England) and sophomore Esteban Blanco (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Asociacion Escuelas Lincoln) (Buenes Aires, Argentina) both notched singles wins, while the Knights (6-6) also took the double point.

Stephens defeated the Crusaders' (3-6) Nic Kooyers, 6-3, 6-4, in No. 1 singles and Blanco battled past Mike Wagner, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 10-3, in sixth-singles.

Stephens and freshman Alexander Nace (San Jose, Costa Rica/Country Day School) (San Jose, Costa Rica) topped the duo of Mike Shideler and Alex Lau in No. 1 doubles, 8-6, while Blanco and junior Justin Seow (Johor Bahru, Malaysia/Brisbane - Australia) (Johor Bahru, Malaysia) paired to edge Wagner and David Bukowski, 9-7, in third-doubles.

“We played hard to take the doubles point,” Head Coach Ira Miller said. “The guys then came out little flat in singles, enabling Valparaiso to take the match.”

FDU concludes their Spring Trip at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 14 versus the University of Wisconsin ? Green Bay. The match will be played at FGCU.

SINGLES

1. Philip Stephens (London, England/Monkton Combe) (FDU) def. Nic Kooyers (VALPO) 6-3, 6-4

2. Joe Venegas (VALPO) def. Priit Gross (Tartu, Estonia/Miina Harma) (FDU) 6-4, 6-4

3. David Bukowski (VALPO) def. Alexander Nace (San Jose, Costa Rica/Country Day School) (FDU) 6-4, 6-2

4. Alex Lau (VALPO) def. Justin Seow (Johor Bahru, Malaysia/Brisbane - Australia) (FDU) 6-0, 6-2

5. Mike Shideler (VALPO) def. Kyle Eddins (Tampa, FL/Saddlebrook Prep) (FDU) 6-3, 6-2

6. Esteban Blanco (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Asociacion Escuelas Lincoln) (FDU) def. Mike Wagner (VALPO) 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 10-3

DOUBLES

1. Alexander Nace (San Jose, Costa Rica/Country Day School)/Philip Stephens (London, England/Monkton Combe) (FDU) def. Mike Shideler/Alex Lau (VALPO) 8-6

2. Nic Kooyers/Joe Venegas (VALPO) def. Kyle Eddins (Tampa, FL/Saddlebrook Prep)/Priit Gross (Tartu, Estonia/Miina Harma) (FDU) 8-3

3. Justin Seow (Johor Bahru, Malaysia/Brisbane - Australia)/Esteban Blanco (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Asociacion Escuelas Lincoln) (FDU) def. David Bukowski/Mike Wagner (VALPO) 9-7