WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Carroll University men's tennis team dropped a 5–2 decision to Wheaton College on Tuesday afternoon in CCIW action at the Jean Kilgour-Trailblazer Tennis Complex.
Carroll picked up a point in doubles play, sweeping the three matches to earn the doubles point and take an early 1–0 lead. The No. 1 doubles team of Andrew LaBelle and Felix Persson earned a 6–3 victory, while David Eman and Ulrik Gellein added a 6–4 win at No. 2. The No. 3 doubles match was decided in a tiebreak, with Ryan LaBelle and Nate Christensen coming through 7-6 (7-5).
In singles play, the Pioneers earned one point, coming at the top of the lineup. At No. 1 singles, Andrew LaBelle battled back after dropping the first set 6-0, winning the final two sets to secure a three-set victory and Carroll's lone singles win of the afternoon.
Wheaton claimed the remaining singles matches in straight sets across the lineup, taking wins at Nos. 2 through 6 to close out the match on a day with tough conditions.
Despite the result, Carroll showed competitiveness early in doubles play and continued to fight throughout singles competition against a strong Wheaton lineup.
The Pioneers will look to regroup as conference play continues later this week, with their next opportunity coming Saturday as they travel to Rock Island to take on Augustana at 1pm.
