Box Score WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Carroll University men's tennis team dropped a narrow 4–3 decision to Millikin on Friday afternoon, with the outcome coming down to singles play after Carroll secured the doubles point.
Carroll earned the opening doubles point by winning two of the three doubles matches. At No. 2 doubles, David Eman and Ulrik Gellein posted a 7–5 victory, while Nate Christensen and Ryan LaBelle followed with a 6–3 win at No. 3 doubles to clinch the point. Millikin earned its lone doubles win at No. 1, edging Felix Persson and Andrew LaBelle, 6–4.
In singles competition, Carroll picked up two points. At No. 2 singles, Ryan LaBelle battled through a three-set match before Millikin was forced to retire due to injury, giving Carroll the win after a split of the first two sets. Carroll's other singles victory came at No. 6, where Layton Carls earned a hard-fought win in straight sets, 6–4, 7–6(3).
Millikin claimed the remaining four singles matches to secure the overall win. At No. 1 singles, Andrew LaBelle fell 6–2, 6–3. Millikin also earned straight-set victories at No. 3 singles (6–3, 6–3) and No. 5 singles (7–5, 6–4). At No. 4 singles, Felix Persson pushed the match to three sets before dropping a close decision, 6–2, 3–6, 6–4.
With doubles counting as one point and six singles matches determining the rest, Millikin's four singles wins proved to be the difference, as Carroll finished with three total points.
The Pioneers will look to build off the competitive showing as they continue through the spring schedule as they host Wheaton next Tuesday at 3:30pm.