Dias’ Ranked Win Not Enough as Trojans Fall

Saturday, February 22

Thibodaux, La.

10:00 a.m.

Troy University

Nicholls State

Photo by: Cass Davis

Dias’ Ranked Win Not Enough as Trojans Fall

2/22/2014 3:49:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Matt Mays

THIBODAUX, La. – The Troy men's tennis team was locked into a tight match at Nicholls State, but couldn't secure the road victory in a 4-3 loss to the Colonels.

Troy (1-6) did see Gabriel Sciacca Dias pick up a win over a ranked opponent in Nicholls' Nico Mertens, but it wasn't enough. Mertens, who is ranked 69th in the ITA national singles rankings, was 4-1 on the season entering the match, including a win over the 13th-ranked player in the nation.

Dias won the No. 1singles match between the two in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (3). The win gave Troy a 3-2 advantage at the time.

However, Nicholls (4-3) went on to close the match with wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles. The No. 5 match was in straight sets, but both sets went to tiebreaks. The No. 6 match was the lone three-set match of the day.

Troy got into a hole with a doubles point loss, but Mansingh Athare evened the match with a 7-6 (9), 6-0 win at No. 4 singles for Troy. Sami Ghorbel then gave the Trojans a 2-1 lead with a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles.

The Colonels tied the match at No. 3 before Dias' win at No. 1 put Troy ahead. Complete results are below.

The Trojans return to the court on Sunday when they travel to take on New Orleans at 10:00 a.m.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter and Instagram at @TroyAthletics and on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.

Nicholls 4, Troy 3
Feb 22, 2014 at Thibodaux, La.

Singles competition
1. Gabriel Sciacca Dias (TROY) def. #69 Nico Mertens (NICH) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
2. Sami Ghorbel (TROY) def. Partha Adavelly (NICH) 6-2, 6-4
3. Lukas Clemens (NICH) def. Daniel Bustamante (TROY) 7-6, 6-4 (4)
4. Mansingh Athare (TROY) def. Bernard Wezeman (NICH) 7-6 (9), 6-0
5. Sam Meessen (NICH) def. Pablo Moreno (TROY) 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6)
6. Evan Karatzas (NICH) def. Tadju Davies (TROY) 6-0, 4-6, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Partha Adavelly/Nico Mertens (NICH) def. Mansingh Athare/Sami Ghorbel (TROY) 8-5
2. Bernard Wezeman/Lukas Clemens (NICH) vs. Pablo Moreno/Gabriel Sciacca Dias (TROY) 4-7, unfinished
3. Evan Karatzas/Sam Meessen (NICH) def. Daniel Bustamante/Tadju Davies (TROY) 8-2

Match Notes
Troy 1-6
Nicholls 4-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,2,3,1,5,6)
T-5:00