NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Maryville 4, Piedmont 3
Records: Piedmont, 11-7 (4-1 CCS); Maryville, 9-6 (3-2 CCS)

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Piedmont men's tennis fell 4-3 in a hard-fought match to the Maryville Scots on Friday afternoon.

The Scots initiated contact, taking No. 1 doubles 6-1 to gain a competitive edge towards the doubles point. Despite Maryville having the initial edge, junior duo Mark Backeberg and Rohan Kavali battled to glory with a 6-4 win at No. 2 doubles, tying up the score.

Unfortunately, the Lions' were unable to come out victorious at No. 3 doubles, forcing the team to begin singles from behind. 

Singles No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 looked to revive the Lions, putting the Scots on their heels at the start of their first sets. At No. 2, Charles Parnell competed neck-and-neck to a first-set tiebreaker, bringing life in the early part of the battle before Maryville snagged the set 7-6 (5). Parnell outlasted No. 1 and No. 3, looking to keep the Lions alive for a fight at the bottom half of the lineup, but was unable to turn the tables in the second set. 

The Scots clinched the match at 4-0, but the Lions were not willing to give up the fight. Kavali led the charge at No. 4, sailing through the first set 6-3 before battling through a competitive second set. Kavali found success in a second-set tiebreaker 7-6 (3), tacking a win onto the Lions' overall score.

Sophomore Horacio Rodriguez stepped on the court prepared to follow Kavali's mission to change the atmosphere of the match despite the determined clinch. Rodriguez cruised through a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 5, adding a conference singles win to his already impressive collection. 

The increased support from the team and wins at No. 4 and No. 5 encouraged Caleb McElveen to win 6-4, 6-2 at No. 6, bringing the final score to a 4-3 deficit. 

Up next, the Lions will travel to Asbury University for a 10 a.m. contest on Saturday, April 11. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- The doubles duo Backeberg and Kavali came out victorious at No. 2 to give the Lions a chance towards the doubles point.
- Kavali, McElveen, and Rodriguez move to 4-0 in conference in singles play with their wins over the Scots.

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