Troy Battles To A Draw In Finale

Friday, September 29

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Troy University

Coach Dick LaLance Showdown

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

10/1/2017 9:35:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Russ Schaffer

Results

MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE –

DAY ONE

Troy started the 2017-18 season on the road in the Coach Dick LaLance Showdown and came away with a 5-1 win over Belmont to kick things off.

With a roster sporting only five returners from last season and six freshman, Troy took advantage of the new faces to win both doubles matches and three of four singles matches.

Mustapha Belcora and Andy Romero teamed up for a 6-4 win in doubles while returners Chris Tasker and Shaaz Peerani took a narrow 7-6 match.

In singles play, Belcora and Tasker also won 7-6, 7-5 and 6-1, 7-6, respectively, while Romero took home a 6-1, 7-5 victory. The lone loss on the day was Ignacio Rodriguez, who fell 6-0, 6-1 in his first collegiate match.

DAY TWO

The second day of the Coach DIck LaLance Showdown saw Troy notch another win as the Trojans upended Tennessee State 4-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Mustapha Belcora and Andy Romero combined again to pick up their second doubles victory as they won 6-2. Belcora and Romero then went on to win their singles matches in straight sets with Belcora winning 6-1, 6-2 and Romero winning 6-4, 6-2.

Those two have now started their season undefeated in both singles and doubles play. The other victor on the day was Chris Tasker who came from behind to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

DAY THREE

After two consecutive victories to start the fall season, Troy battled to a 3-3 draw with Middle Tennessee on the final day of the Coach Dick LaLance Showdown on Sunday.

Mustapha Belcora and Andy Romero had won their first two doubles matches paired together but fell 6-2 in the finale while Shaaz Peerani and Christopher Tasker took the other doubles point with a convincing 6-0 win.

In singles play, Tasker was again victorious as he won 6-3, 6-1 while Sam Bird rallied from a 4-6 first set loss to win 6-2, 6-3 in the final two sets.

Belcora and Romero's two-match singles win streaks also came to an end as Belcora was defeated 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 and Romero fell 6-4 in straight sets.

UP NEXT

Troy will return to action this Friday in the Mercer Gridiron Challenge. For more information on Troy men's tennis, follow @TroyAthletics on social media or visit TroyTrojans.com.