Rams Take 5-0 Loss to Bluefield State in Opening Round of NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional

WSSU battles hard, but falls short in tough match

May 1, 2011

RALEIGH, NC – The fifth-seeded Winston-Salem State Rams (17-13) gave all that they had, but the effort was not enough as the team took a 5-0 loss to the fourth-seeded Bluefield State College Blues (16-9), Sunday morning at the Biltmore Hills Park tennis courts in Raleigh, N.C. The Rams fought for every point in the match, but were outmatched against the Blues.

The strong play began in doubles where the Rams took three set losses, 8-5, 8-3, and 8-3. The #1 senior tandem of Brian Coxton and Ian Hunter had the best overall effort in doubles play, scoring five points against the Blues. However, with the tough doubles losses, the Rams would have to battle their way back with a strong singles showing.

Unfortunately, a pair of singles losses at the #2 (6-0, 6-0) and #6 (6-0, 6-3)spots sealed the WSSU loss. The Rams lost all of the opening sets of their singles matches, but were storming back. Both Coxton and Hunter were tied in the second sets of their singles matches when the match ended. Fellow senior Maximilan Glodde was leading 1-0 in his second set.  

With the loss, the Rams lose back-to-back matches for the first time since February and end one of the greatest seasons in school history.