CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina men's tennis team (0-1) lost a tough match to The Citadel (1-0) 5-2 in the first match of the season for both teams at the Billy Nichols Tennis Center in Conway, S.C.

The Chanticleers lost the doubles point, but juniors Elliott Quibell (Derby, England/Cheam (Colorado)) and Richard Redding (Winscombe, England/Queen Elizabeth's Hospital) defeated The Citadel team of Daniel Dossetor and Derek Jose in the first doubles match 9-7.

In men's singles action, the Chants had two singles wins as Quibell defeated Ananda Sawmynaden in straight sets 6-4, 6-0. The other CCU victory was junior Andy Caress (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) over Nick Medica 6-1, 3-6, 7-6.

Two of the other four matches were lost in three sets as sophomore David Mellis (London, England/Goffs) lost 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 to Dossetor and junior Ryan Vrba (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs (Elgin C.C.) was defeated by Derek Jose 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.

"This is a tough way to start the season considering how hard we've worked the last couple of weeks," head tennis coach Chris Powers said. "We didn't come together as a team when we needed to. However, it is a long season and I believe we will look back on today as an important lesson."

Coastal will return to action next weekend as it host Mount Olive and Methodist at Community Day on the Clay in Conway, S.C. at the Riverfront Tennis Center on Feb. 4 starting at noon.

The Citadel 5, Coastal 2

Singles Matches

Danny Dossetor (Citadel) def. David Mellis (CCU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1

James Eason (Citadel) def. Simon Taylor (CCU) 7-5, 6-4

Elliott Quibell (CCU) def. Ananda Sawmynaden (Citadel) 6-4, 6-0

David Lara (Citadel) def. Richard Redding (CCU) 6-1, 7-6

Andy Caress (CCU) def. Nick Medica (Citadel) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6

Derek Jose (Citadel) def. Ryan Vrba (CCU) 6-7, 6-3, 6-2
 

Doubles Matches

Quibell/Redding (CCU)) def. Dossetor/Jose (Citadel) 9-7

Sawmynaden/Eason (Citadel) def. Taylor/Caress (CCU) 8-4

Medica Lara (Citadel) def. Meliis/Vrba (CCU) 8-3