NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Covenant 6, Piedmont 3
Records: Piedmont, 4-9 (2-1 USA South); Covenant, 7-3 (3-0 USA South)

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. - The Piedmont men's tennis team was unable to overcome a slow start in doubles, falling at the hands of Covenant, 6-3, on Friday evening in Lookout Mountain.

The Lions dropped all three doubles matches in hard-fought fashion as the Scots jumped out to a 3-0 lead before clinching the win at 5-0 with a pair of singles victories.

Piedmont was able to split the six singles lines with wins at No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6, but it was not enough as Covenant was able to snap PC's four-match win streak.

All three doubles matches were extremely close, as Covenant took No. 1 by a score of 8-6 before winning at No. 2 in a tiebreaker and outlasting the Lions for an 8-5 victory at No. 3 to complete the sweep.

Already leading 3-0 heading to singles, the Scots needed just two matches to clinch the win, which it got from Ben Luke at No. 1 in straight sets and Austin Dreslinski in a grueling three-setter that was decided by a third-set breaker.

However, even in defeat, the Lions continued to battle, winning three of the remaining four matches on the court. Junior CHRIS BALE outlasted Ethan Gibson winning his third set, 6-3, to put a point on the board for Piedmont.

Closing things out, SILAS SANDLES (7-5, 6-4) and PATRICK DEMPSEY (6-4, 7-6 (3)) each continued their strong play of late, with hard-fought two-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6.

Up next, the Lions will return home to host Huntingdon in USA South action next Friday, April 2 at 3 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- In three closely contested doubles matches, the Scots were able to prevail in all three, proving to be the difference.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Bale's win at No. 3 singles improves him to 3-0 in conference play.
- Dempsey picked up another win at No. 6 singles, moving the sophomore to a team-best 8-2 on the season.
- The freshman Sandles delivered another victory at No. 5 singles, moving to 4-0 in conference matches.

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