Men's Tennis 4/6/2016 7:30:00 PM

Blue Jays fall at Messiah

Results

GRANTHAM, Pa. – For the second match in a row, the Elizabethtown College men's tennis team carried a lead to singles, but could not come up with the finish they desired. Messiah won 5-of-6 singles matches to double up the Jays, 6-3, Wednesday in Grantham.

E-town's No. 1 doubles tandem of Alex Machalick and Ryan Caris improved to 4-1 in their last five matches, making quick work of the Falcons' Tim Dunn and Connor Graybeal in an 8-3 victory.

The Falcons (4-6) were able to snag a point at No. 2 doubles, but the Blue Jays (3-5) took the final point up for grabs with an 8-6 win from Evan Hinkley and Nick Strobel over Dustin Innerst and Blake Ross at No. 3.

Strobel would steal Elizabethtown's only point in singles, defeating Ross 6-4, 6-3, at No. 6. Third singles entry Nathan Dowling and fourth singles representative Matthew Hornbaker each won their opening sets, but suffered three-set defeats.

Elizabethtown will return to the Alumni Courts this weekend to face Juniata and Susquehanna in a pair of Landmark Conference. The Blue Jays face the defending Landmark champion Eagles on Saturday, before welcoming the Crusaders Sunday. Both weekend matches are scheduled for 1 p.m. starts.

Messiah 6, Elizabethtown 3
April 6, 2016 at Grantham, Pa. (Criste Courts)

Singles competition

1. Tim Dunn (MESS) def. Alex Machalick (ETOWN) 6-3, 6-2

2. Connor Graybeal (MESS) def. Ryan Caris (ETOWN) 6-3, 6-0

3. Devin Esch (MESS) def. Nathan Dowling (ETOWN) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2

4. Dustin Innerst (MESS) def. Matthew Hornbaker (ETOWN) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4

5. Austin Warren (MESS) def. Evan Hinkley (ETOWN) 6-4, 6-3

6. Nick Strobel (ETOWN) def. Blake Ross (MESS) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Alex Machalick/Ryan Caris (ETOWN) def. Tim Dunn/Connor Graybeal (MESS) 8-3

2. Devin Esch/Austin Warren (MESS) def. Nathan Dowling/Matthew Hornbaker (ETOWN) 8-3

3. Evan Hinkley/Nick Strobel (ETOWN) def. Dustin Innerst/Blake Ross (MESS) 8-6

Match Notes

Elizabethtown 3-5

Messiah 4-6

T-3:30 A-27

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Players Mentioned

Ryan Caris: 5' 9"; Junior

Nathan Dowling: 5' 11"; Junior

Evan Hinkley: 5' 7"; Senior

Matthew Hornbaker: 6' 0"; Junior

Alex Machalick: 6' 0"; Junior

Nick Strobel: 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ryan Caris
: 5' 9"; Junior

Nathan Dowling
: 5' 11"; Junior

Evan Hinkley
: 5' 7"; Senior

Matthew Hornbaker
: 6' 0"; Junior

Alex Machalick
: 6' 0"; Junior

Nick Strobel
: 5' 7"; Freshman