In a tightly contested match, the Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) men’s tennis team faced off against Bellarmine at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex in Louisville, Kentucky. Despite putting up a valiant fight, EKU narrowly lost with a score of 4-3. This setback leaves the Colonels concluding their 2024-25 regular season with two home matches within the Atlantic Sun Conference starting early April. The Colonels started poorly by losing the doubles point, which set the tone for an uphill battle in singles.

The encounter began with EKU dropping the doubles segment, suffering significant defeats on courts one and two. Louie Fletcher and Eli Wood from Bellarmine triumphed over Nuno Pinheiro and Fernando Bulnes with a decisive 6-1 victory, while Matt Nice and Vineet Ramesh also claimed a win against Ryan Kitchin and Adrian Contreras, albeit slightly less convincingly at 6-3. The third doubles match was left unfinished due to the conclusion of the doubles point.

Transitioning into singles play, EKU needed four victories to secure the overall win. Three players rose to the occasion: Nuno Pinheiro, Fernando Bulnes, and Romeo Elfving Navarro. Pinheiro showcased his prowess by defeating Jack Batchelor in straight sets, marking his first conference win of the season. Bulnes continued his impressive streak, improving his ASUN record to 4-1 and maintaining a winning form in his last three matches. Elfving Navarro added another crucial win, ensuring that all six courts were decided swiftly in two sets.

As the season progresses, EKU looks ahead to hosting North Alabama on April 4, hoping to rebound from this narrow loss. The upcoming home matches are critical for the Colonels as they aim to strengthen their position within the Atlantic Sun Conference standings.

Moving forward, the EKU men’s tennis team must focus on refining their doubles strategy and maintaining momentum in singles play. With key players stepping up during crucial moments, there is optimism about their potential to perform well in the remaining fixtures. Their ability to adapt and overcome challenges will be pivotal in determining the outcome of their final games of the season.