Box Score NEW ORLEARNS, La. – Competing in their first ever match, the William Woods University Men's Tennis team was defeated by No. 8 William Carey Crusaders on Saturday afternoon in New Orleans, La.
 
"Given it was the men's first ever collegiate match, let alone against a top 10 nationally ranked team, I feel the guys competed," said head coach Lauren Meier. "It really came down to experience. William Carey knew when to step it up. Thankfully it is just the first match, we have a long season ahead and I believe this was a good match for the guys to experience."
 
The Owls came with a fight in doubles as but could not get a point. Stefan Simic and Johnnie Carmichael dropped their first collegiate match as they were defeated by Celement Fosse and Andrewas Brune, 8-4 in doubles.
 
Finishing right behind them was third doubles as Jelmer Van Vliet and Christian Barbieri were defeated, 8-4, by Francesco Oliva and Vivien Versier.
 
In the closest doubles match of the day, Stefan Simic and Johnnie Carmicheal were defeated 8-6, in doubles by Aleksei Tumakov and Christian Hansson. After doubles action was completed, the Owls found themselves down 3-0.
 
After dropping No. 1 and 2 singles in straight sets, the Owls scored its first point. In No. 5 singles, Johnnie Carmichael defeated Bruno Lopez Garcis, 6-3, 6-1.
 
After dropping third and fourth singles the Owls collected its second point of the match, in No. 6. Stefan Simic claimed the second match for the Owls as he defeated Andreas Brune. Simic defeated Brune 7-5 in set one and claimed the second set, 6-4, earning the second point for the Owls on the day.
 
The Owls return to action on Sunday, March 6 when they take on Xavier (La.) in New Orleans at 10 a.m.
 
Doubles:
Clement Fosse/Andreas Brune def. David Barbieri/ Adam Deen Qurban, 8-4
Aleksei Tumakov/Christian Hansson def. Stefan Simic/ Johnnie Carmichael, 8-6
Franesco Oliva/Vivien Versier def. Jelmer Van Vliet/ Christian Barbieri, 8-4
 
Singles
Vivien Versier def. David Barbieri, 6-0, 6-0
Clement Fosse def. Marcos Vinicius Prates Constantino, 6-0, 6-0
Francesco Oliva def. Christian Barbieri, 6-7, 6-3 – 10/6
Christian Hansson def. Jelmer Van Vliet, 6-4, 6-0
Johnnie Carmichael def. Bruno Lopez Garcis, 6-3, 6-1
Stefan Simic def. Andreas Brune, 7-5, 6-4