LOCKPORT, Ill.---- The University of St. Francis men's tennis team was unable to close out its Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference match against Olivet Nazarene University and dropped a 5-2 decision Wednesday afternoon at Challenge Fitness Indoor Courts. 
 

The Saints lost the first match in doubles action, but the duo of Javier Alonso Egea (SO/L'Eliana, Spain) and Aidan Flores (FR/New Lenox, Ill.) was able to grab a victory at the No. 3 spot. The newly crowned CCAC Men's Tennis Player of the Week Paul Wottgen (Leinburg, Germany) and his partner Martin Rayos Del Sol (JR/Romeoville, Ill.) fought hard at No. 2 doubles, forcing the opposition into a tie-break set in the deciding match. Olivet Nazarene's tandem of James Carr and Kyle Lingle, however, prevailed in the tie-breaker to win the set 7-6 (11-9) and give the Tigers the first point of the match. 
 

Looking to rebound in singles play, Erwan Le Guennec (SR/Ercuis, France) got things started on a positive note with a 6-2, 6-2 victory in the No. 2 slot. Wottgen would grab another victory for the Saints at No. 3 to give the team a 2-1 lead on the overall scoreboard. 
 

ONU tied things up at two-all with a victory at No. 4 singles. In that match, Egea dropped his first set, but forced a third set when he won 6-3 in the second set. Unfortunately, Olivet Nazarene's Alex Verdu responded with a 6-3 set to gain the match.
 

The Tigers then closed things out with victories at Nos. 5 and 6 to hand the Saints the loss . 
 

Up next, USF (2-3, 1-2 CCAC) faces its most difficult challenge of the season on Sunday (March 11) when the Saints go up against No.1 ranked Cardinal Stritch University. First serve is set for 11 am.