WATERVILLE, Maine – Led at the top of the doubles order by junior Tyler Adams (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) and senior Scott Gagne (Lewiston, Maine) the University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's tennis team jumped out to a 3-0 lead and cruised to the 8-1 win over the Thomas College Terriers in a non-conference match Wednesday evening at the Alfond Athletic Center.
With the win, Southern Maine bounces back from back-to-back losses to MIT and Colby to stand at 3-2 on the season. Thomas, playing in its home opening match, falls to 2-4 with the loss.
Adams and Gagne controlled their opponents senior Eric Morin (Lewiston, Maine) and junior Tyler Small (Surry, Maine/Ellsworth) at first singles to take an 8-1 lead as USM won all three doubles points. In the closest doubles match of the contest, USM junior Sebastien Taylor (Auburn, Maine/Edward Little) and freshman Joseph Gagliardi (Seekonk, Mass.) battled their way to an 8-6 win at third doubles over senior Jonte Roussel (Brockton, Mass.) and freshman Caleb Cough (Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island).
In singles action, Southern Maine outscored the Terriers 5-1 win the first five flights, highlighted by Gagne's hard-won 7-5, 6-3, 10-7 victory over Small at second singles. Taylor also took a three-set victory at fifth singles defeating Cough 6-2, 4-6, 10-5 Adams remained undefeated at first singles to improve to 5-0 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Morin. Thomas' Roussel scored the lone point for the Terriers earning a 6-3, 6-3 win over Gagliardi.
Southern Maine hosts UMass Boston in its Little East Conference opener on Saturday (1:00 p.m.). The match will be held at the Racket and Fitness Club in Portland, Maine. Thomas College is next in action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) against Johnson State.
- cac -
