Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NEED TO KNOW:
Match 1 Score: No. 6 Emory 9, Piedmont 0
Match 2 Score: Birmingham-Southern 7, Piedmont 2
Records: Piedmont, 7-4; Emory, 6-0; BSC, 5-3

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont men's tennis team faced tough competition on Sunday, falling to No. 6 Emory 9-0 and Birmingham-Southern 7-2 on a beautiful day in Demorest.

The Lions battled in both matches, but were unable to outlast the Eagles or the Panthers.

Match 1: No. 6 Emory 9, Piedmont 0

The No. 6 Eagles, coming off of winning the NCAA DIII Indoor National Championship, were too much for the Lions in the opening match of the day.

Emory was able to take all three doubles lines by an 8-2 score and then won all six singles matches in straight sets to earn the 9-0 sweep.

Match 2: Birmingham-Southern 7, Piedmont 2

Piedmont put up a tough battle against the tough Panthers, who are coming off a 19-4 season in 2023 and went 5-1 in the SAA, losing only to Sewanee.

BSC was able to jump ahead with a convincing 8-4 win at No. 1 doubles. However, the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles matches came down to the wire, with both ending in tiebreakers. 

Ultimately, one went each way, with BSC prevailing at No. 2, winning the breaker, 8-7 (5). Minutes later, the duo of Charles Parnell and Mike Porcelli outlasted their opponents for a critical win (8-7 (4)) at No. 3 doubles to give the Lions a point on the board before singles began.


 

BIG win for Charles and Mike in a breaker at 3 to put a point on the board! pic.twitter.com/mzntEA0d5h

— Piedmont Men's Tennis (@PiedmontMTennis) March 3, 2024

With the women's match occurring simultaneously, just No. 1 through No. 3 singles took the courts first. 

On the Piedmont side, the first wave of singles was highlighted by Bryce VanOrder, as the two-time CCS Player of the Week picked up a clinical 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 2 to keep the Lions alive as BSC won in straight sets at No. 1 and No. 3.

In the final wave of singles, Piedmont needed all three to complete the comeback. Unfortunately, the Panthers were up to the task, winning at No. 4 and No. 6 in straight sets before taking a third-set match tiebreaker at No. 5 to put the finishing touches on the 7-2 final score.

Up next, the Lions will have a week break before their Orlando Spring Break Trip, which begins next Sunday, March 10 with a doubleheader against Salve Regina and Bethel.

TURNING POINT:
- The Panthers were able to win in a breaker at No. 2 doubles to grab an advantage heading into singles.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- VanOrder took a 7-5, 6-2 win in straight sets to keep the Lions in the match.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.