The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's tennis team fell for the first time in dual match play this season, Thursday, Jan. 31.  The Knights (2-1) were edged, 4-3, by the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY.

The doubles point ultimately cost FDU, as the Knights dropped No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches.  The second-doubles pairing of freshman Matt Gordon (London, England/Mill Hill County) and sophomore Alexander Nace (San Jose, Costa Rica/Country Day School) were up versus Phil Muhawi and Chris Albornoz, 9-8, and proceeded to take the tiebreaker, 7-1. 

Freshman Josh Girling (Westminster, England/Peter Symonds) and sophomore Philip Stephens (London, England/Monkton Combe) were knocked off, 8-6, by the first-doubles tandem of Eddie Kang and Sean Harris.  Sophomores Kyle Eddins (Tampa, FL/Saddlebrook Prep) and Priit Gross (Tartu, Estonia/Miina Harma) fell, 8-4, versus Tripp Johnson and Jordan Girdley in third-doubles.

In singles action, Stephens out-lasted Muhawi in No 1 singles, 6-4, 7-6, (12-10).  Gordon put away Kang, 6-2, 6-3 in No. 2 singles.  Gross registered a 7-5, 6-3, win over Albornoz in No. 4 singles.

Girling was bested by Harris in No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-4.  Eddins lost to Johnson in No. 5 singles, 6-3, 7-5.  In No. 6 singles, Nace was topped by Bruno Lucivero, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

“It was a good match and came down until the end,” Head Coach Ira Miller said.  “Losing the doubles point was really tough.”

Army advanced to 1-0.

Fairleigh Dickinson takes on home-standing Fairfield University Friday, Feb. 1 at 7:00 p.m.