Score: ETSU 4, VCU 3
Location: Richmond, Va. (Thalhimer Tennis Center)
Records: VCU 2-2 (0-0 Atlantic-10), ETSU 4-3
 
The Short Story: VCU Men's Tennis dropped a tightly contested 4-3 decision to ETSU on Sunday afternoon at Thalhimer Tennis Center.
 
Quote from Coach Kutrovsky: "Tough match, ETSU competed well, we gave them a run for their money but came out short in a few spots. We had opportunities to get away with the win, but couldn't quite get there. Lots to improve on and get ready for the next one."
 
Opening Serve

Doubles

• Similar to the DePaul match on Friday, all three courts were tight, and by the halfway point of doubles it was anyone's match.
• On court one, Mats Bredschneijder and Erwann Bouchet fell behind early, 1-4, but fought back by winning the next two games to close the gap to 3-4 before dropping two of the next three games to become the first court to finish, falling 4-6
• Court two stayed even throughout, tied at 2-2 before Nicolo Consonni and Gevorg Mnatsakanyan edged ahead 3-2. ETSU's Peter Kalocsai and Arenu Luethi responded to level it at 3-3, but the Rams regained control, pushing ahead 5-3 and closing out the court 6-3 to even the doubles point
• With the doubles point coming down to court three, Kostiantyn Mantach and Leon Zaorski jumped out to a 4-1 lead and appeared in control early. Momentum then shifted, and the match tightened at 4-4. ETSU carried the momentum late, going up 6-5, but Mantach and Zaorski answered to force a 6-6 tiebreaker. The Rams ultimately fell in the breaker, deciding the doubles point

Singles

• On court two, Erwann Bouchet was locked in another close battle. The opening set stayed tight throughout, tied at 2-2 early, before Bouchet edged ahead 3-2, 4-3, and 5-4, closing out the set 6-4. In the second set, Bouchet again faced an early challenge, trailing 2-3, but responded as he has all season by winning the next three games to secure a 6-3 victory. The win improved Bouchet to 3-1 in singles this year and 1-0 on court two
• On court four, Leon Zaorski cruised through the opening set, winning 6-1. The second set proved more competitive, with Zaorski holding slim advantages at 4-3 and 5-4 before pulling away to close it out 6-4. Despite facing adversity in the second set, Zaorski maintained high energy throughout and closed out the match in straight sets
• Making his first appearance on court one this season, Nicolo Consonni took control early, building leads of 4-1 and 5-2 in the opening set. ETSU's Oscar Martinez battled back to close the gap to 5-4, but Consonni held firm through several long rallies to win the set 6-4. The second set turned into a back-and-forth battle, with momentum swinging throughout before reaching a 6-6 tiebreaker, where Consonni ultimately fell 1-7. In the deciding set, Consonni fell 2-6.
• On court five, Kostiantyn Mantach showed promise in several games and points but fell 3-6 in the opening set. In the second, Mantach trailed 1-2, 2-3, and 2-5 before mounting a comeback, winning three straight games to even the score at 5-5 in a great display of resilience. Despite the effort, Mantach ultimately fell 5-7.
• With the match already decided, Patrik Petera continued to battle on court six. After trailing early, 1-3, Petera responded to level the score at 5-5 before dropping the first set 5-7. In contrast to the opening set, Petera found his feet and rebounded in dominant fashion in the second set to win 6-0. After ETSU's Juan Listo evened the tiebreak at 5-5, Petera responded by closing out the match 10-8, sealing the victory with an ace. With the win, Petera improves to 2-0 in singles play this season

Singles results
 1. Oscar Martinez (ETSU) def. Nicolo Consonni (VCU) 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-2
 2. Erwann Bouchet (VCU) def. Martin Vergara (ETSU) 6-4, 6-3
 3. Peter Kalocsai (ETSU) def. Gevorg Mnatsakanyan (VCU) 6-0, 6-2
 4. Leon Zaorski (VCU) def. Kai Cowder (ETSU) 6-1, 6-4
 5. Arenu Luethi (ETSU) def. Kostiantyn Mantach (VCU) 6-3, 7-5
 6. Patrik Petera (VCU) def. Juan Listo (ETSU) 5-7, 6-0, [10-8]
 
Doubles results
 1. Oscar Martinez / Martin Vergara (ETSU) def. Mats Bredschneijder / Erwann Bouchet (VCU) 6-4
 2. Nicolo Consonni / Gevorg Mnatsakanyan (VCU) def. Peter Kalocsai / Arenu Luethi (ETSU) 6-3
 3. Juan Listo / James Sim (ETSU) def. Leon Zaorski / Kostiantyn Mantach (VCU) 7-6 (8-6)
 
Order of Finish: Doubles: 1, 2, 3,   Singles: 3, 2, 4, 1, 5, 6
 
Up Next: VCU will be back in action on Friday, February 6, as they host Richmond at 3 p.m.