NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Hanover 7, Piedmont 2
Records: Hanover, 2-0; Piedmont, 1-1
 
SEWANEE, Tenn. – The Piedmont College men's tennis team dropped its season opener, 7-2, to Hanover on Friday night in Sewanee, Tennessee.
 
The Lions (1-1) battled to take one doubles and one singles line each as the Panthers (2-0) took four of the six singles matches in straight sets.
 
After a quick 8-2 loss at No. 3 doubles, Piedmont answered with an 8-3 win at No. 1 doubles from CHRIS BALE and HOUSTON MEDLOCK to even up the match. However, the tides began to turn in Hanover's favor after it was able to take No. 2 doubles in a tiebreaker to hold a 2-1 advantage going into singles.
 
With numbers one through three singles taking the court first, the Panthers were able to clinch the match with three consecutive two-set victories.
 
The Piedmont freshmen delivered strong showings at No. 5 and No. 6 singles with JJ Gray delivering the lone PC singles win, a 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 6 to close the evening. Fellow freshman PATRICK DEMPSEY won the first set, but fell in a third-set tiebreaker, 10-4.
 
Up next, the Lions will return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. (ET) against Sewanee.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Hanover eked out the point at No. 2 doubles on a tiebreaker to take a 2-1 lead into singles play, where it quickly took control of the match.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Playing No. 1 doubles with HOUSTON MEDLOCK, newcomer CHRIS BALE picked up his first win as a Lion with an 8-3 victory.
- Freshman JJ Gray won in straight sets to close out the night on a positive note for Piedmont.
 
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