Box Score

Detroit showed no sign of being tired, but a few key bounces just did not go its way as the men's tennis team wrapped up its four-match, six-day swing with a 5-2 setback at Butler on Sunday morning.

“We had our chances all weekend,” said head coach Grant Asher. “Playing Ohio State was a great experience for us and our guys came out and didn't back down. Then we played a tough Wright State team where we played well in singles, but came out slow in doubles. Overall, we have to get better, especially in doubles.”

Senior Pjotrs Necajevs (Riga, Latvia/Herdera Vidusskola) was perfect on the day at Butler, winning both of his matches in the top position. In doubles, Necajevs teamed with freshman Chris Cheung (Mississauga, ON/Erindale Secondary) for an 8-5 win, and then came back with an easy 6-3, 6-1 triumph at No. 1 singles.

Freshman Cesar Escobar Serrano (Merliot, El Salvador/Educame) garnered the only other victory on the day as the rookie took his match at No. 5, 6-2, 6-4. 

“Butler is one of the better teams in our league and we came out and competed hard against them. We needed to play better doubles and we did, coming out with more intensity and conviction,” added Asher.

The Titans had the potential to pull out a win, but were edged at No. 3 doubles as freshman Alex Latosinsky (Sarnia, ON/St. Christopher's) and Serrano fell, 9-8 (4). Latosinsky also suffered a heartbreaking three-set loss, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, in the second singles position.

“Alex (Latosinsky) and Cesar (Escobar Serrano) had a great chance to win with a match point but just didn't convert and Alex had a great comeback and just fell short in singles.”

Detroit will now return home for two straight Horizon League matches as the Titans host UIC on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., and Valparaiso on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Check back with DetroitTitans.com on the location of each match.