SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - The Delta State University men's tennis team opened the 2018 campaign on a high note, defeating Gulf South Conference rival, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, 6-3, on Friday, Feb. 9, in Southaven, Miss. The Statesmen were scheduled to conclude the day with a match against Blue Mountain College, but the match was rained out.

Delta State took an early lead, clinching the doubles competition, 2-1. The Chargers pulled within one point after picking up two wins in the singles competition, cutting Delta State's lead, 4-3. However, the Statesmen emerged victorious when Emile Le Terrier and Andrew Hildenbrand won their singles matches in the third set.   

The Statesmen continued to gain momentum, taking a 3-0 lead against Blue Mountain College in match two of the day, as Emile Le Terrier/Hugo Stroppiana, Mason Vice/Stedman Strickland, and Tyler Santucci/Tres Santucci clinched the doubles competition for DSU. The Statesmen were leading at the start of the singles competition, but the match got rained out, and the results will not count. 

DOUBLES COMPETITION (DSU v. UAH)
1. Emile Le Terrier/Hugo Stroppiana (DSU) def. Elliot Hopson/Dylan Hall (UAH) 9-7
2. Mason Vice/Joao Yamacita (DSU) def. Timo Christen/Tim Nutz (UAH) 9-8
3. Noah Pring/James Caddies (UAH) def. Stedman Strickland/Timo Schmitz (DSU) 9-7
 
SINGLES COMPETITION (DSU v. UAH)
1. Emile Le Terrier (DSU) def. Dylan Hall (UAH) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
2. Hugo Stroppiana (DSU) def. Timo Christen (UAH) 6-3, 6-3
3. Tim Nutz (UAH) def. Mason Vice (DSU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Stedman Strickland (DSU) def. Elliot Hopson (UAH) 7-6, 6-4
5. James Caddies (UAH) def. Joao Yamacita (DSU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
6. Andrew Hildenbrand (DSU) def. K. Roskell-Thomas (UAH) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6
 
Match Notes:

• Since 2010, the Statesmen are now 6-3 in season openers.
• In series history, the Statesmen have now won five of the past six matches against the Chargers. 
• Delta State moves to 1-0 this season, while UAH falls to 1-3.

 
UP NEXT:
The Statesmen will play Christian Brothers University for a GSC match at 5:00 p.m. at the Memphis Racket Club in Memphis, Tenn.