After sweeping two matches against Virginia State University and Morgan State University, the Longwood men's tennis team fell a point short in their 4-3 loss to George Mason University and lost a tough match to Liberty University on senior day, 5-2.
Losing five of their seven singles matches, senior Nobu Tanaka was one of two Lancers able to earn a singles win this past weekend against George Mason. The other was freshman Daniel Elston. Tanaka defeated his GMU opponent in two close games, 7-5 and 7-5, while Elston ousted his opponent in two games as well, 6-2 and 6-2. Though losing their respective singles matches, junior Giorgi Khmiadashvili, sophomore Edward Becker and freshman Harry Kelleher helped provide the Lancers with two out of three doubles wins over George Mason. "We lost most of our matches in three sets. In my opinion, we were too hyped up and too nervous to be able to play the way we wanted to play. It was not about effort, but simply about being loose," said head coach Gustaffson. Yesterday, Longwood recognized lone senior Nobu Tanaka prior to their match againsts Liberty.
According to a press release from the Longwood Athletics Department, senior Nobu Tanaka leads the Lancers with a 9-3 record this season, which includes a team-best, seven-match win streak. Prior to this season, Tanaka had already placed school records in career and season wins. After defeating his GMU singles opponent this past weekend, he tied the school's season wins record. Tanaka said, "Honestly, the records are nice to have, but they are not something I have always thought about achieving. They are just an outcome of me trying to contribute to winning as a team in general."
Right behind Tanaka is Khmiadashvili with an 8-4 record, and Kelleher, who is 7-4. Sophomore Edward Becker has won his last six matches to attain an improved 6-5 record, while Elston is an even 5-5 this season.
With all five wins coming in the number six slot, freshman Steed Johnson has compiled a 5-7 record in his first season with the team.
Now 9-10, the Longwood men's tennis team looks to attain a winning record this next Friday in Farmville against George Washington. Matches are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
