March 17, 2008

Baltimore, Md. - The Loyola men's and women's tennis teams split with Delaware State at the Butler Courts on Monday afternoon. The men, who were 6-1 winners, improved to 6-1 with the victory, while the women fall to 4-2 on the year with a 5-1 decision.

The Greyhounds captured the doubles point on the men's side with a pair of matches that could have gone either way. Seniors Scott Gannon and Doug Alban rallied from a 6-2 deficit at No. 1 doubles, and fought off two match points from 7-5, to capture a thrilling 9-8 win.

The same come-from-behind victory was accomplished by freshmen tandem Dan D'Agostino and Jamie Russo, who won 9-7 at No. 3 doubles. The Greyhounds also took an 8-6 decision at No. 2 doubles with sophomore Matt McDaniel and sophomore Tim Koch.

Gannon also won in straight sets at No. 1 singles as D'Agostino and Russo each claimed 6-0, 6-1 wins in their respective singles matches at No. 5 and No. 6. McDaniel won at No. 3 and Alban rounded out the Greyhound scoring with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 4.

On the women's side, Stephanie Dunn earned the Loyola point with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 5 singles. The Greyhounds were very close, however, with marathon matches in both singles and doubles play. Sophomore Lauren Cassle dropped a hard-fought 0-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker) match at No. 6, while both Caitlyn Day and Kerri Swan went the distance at Nos. 1 and 2.

Day played a two hour, 15 minute match at No.1 singles, falling 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Swan, meanwhile, dropped a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 decision at No. 2.

Both teams return to action on Tuesday when Loyola hosts the District of Columbia at the Butler Courts.