MOREHEAD, Ky. – The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's tennis team played its second consecutive Division I opponent to open the 2013 campaign, and the Chargers (0-2) turned in another valiant effort against the tough competition but fell 5-2 to host Morehead State (1-2).
 
“I am proud of the way we fought today,” said first-year Head Coach Daniel Finn. “Our team played with great intensity and really belonged against a quality Division I program. We still have a long way to go to get where we want to be, but tonight was a step in the right direction.”
 
The match was played under Division I rules with one point awarded for doubles, and each of the three matches within doubles play were close with the No. 1 pairing of Jose Soto and Christopher Kano making the most noise in a match that was ultimately won 8-5 by Ji Hoon Heo and Nick Mercer of Morehead State.
 
In singles action, Kano bounced back from a first-set loss to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the No. 2, while UAH earned its other point as Guillermo Reyes was a 6-3, 6-2 winner at the sixth position.
 
Soto turned in a strong showing at the No. 1, picking up a victory in the first set, but he suffered an injury in the middle of the second set and battled through it to a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 setback. Fredrik Kranner also took the first set in his singles match at the No. 3 before falling 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
 
UAH will next hit the courts on Sunday, Feb. 10, when the Chargers open up Gulf South Conference play as Christian Brothers visits Huntsville for a 1 p.m. match.
 
Morehead State 5, UAH 2
 Singles
1. Ji Hoon Heo (MOR) def. Jose Soto (UAH) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
2. Christopher Kano (UAH) def. David Clifford (MOR) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Nathan Martin (MOR) def. Fredrik Granner (UAH) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
4. Giovanni Samaha (MOR) def. Bruno Medeiros (UAH) 6-1, 6-3
5. Nick Mercer (MOR) def. Raphael Oliveira (UAH) 6-1, 6-0
6. Guillermo Reyes (UAH) def. Enrique Samudio (MOR) 6-3, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Heo/Mercer (MOR) def. Soto/Kano (UAH) 8-5
2. Almonte/Martin (MOR) def. Medeiros/Reyes (UAH) 8-3
3. Clifford/Deligny (MOR) def. Graaner/Oliveira (UAH) 8-4
 
Match Notes: UAH 0-2, Morehead State 1-2