RICHMOND, Va. – Sophomore Phillip Quinn and freshman Zvonko Bencedic claimed wins in their singles matches to give The Citadel tennis team two points Friday afternoon, but Richmond managed to overcome a long, grueling match that saw the players battle crisp, blustery conditions, to take a 5-2 victory.

The day was scheduled to feature a doubleheader, but the second match was cancelled following the completion of the first match.

Match Information
Location: Richmond, Va. (Westhampton Courts)
Final Score: Richmond 5, The Citadel 2
Records: Richmond (4-5), The Citadel (2-11)

Match Rundown

• Richmond went up 1-0 through doubles action with a clean sweep of doubles action. The Spiders clinched the point at No. 3 with a 6-3 win, while Bencedic and Gavin Stewart continued to battle hard at No. 1. The Bulldogs ultimately came up short, falling 7-5.
• In singles action, Richmond's Kelin Evans made it 2-0 for the Spiders with a straight-sets victory at No. 2, but the Bulldogs came roaring back to make it 2-2.
• At No. 3, Quinn defeated Campbell Erwin 6-2, 6-3 to cut the deficit in half.
• Bencedic battled through a tough, three-setter to even the score with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win over John Walsh at No. 4.
• At No. 5 singles, Jack Pyritz pushed George Lovitt to a 7-5 decision in the first set with Lovitt taking the match 6-3 in the second.
• Richmond claimed the match win at No. 6 singles behind Nick Mueller's win, but sophomore Josiah Schainblatt battled tough. Schainblatt forced a tiebreaker in the first set, falling 7-6 (5), and then came back for more in the second set, forcing a 7-5 decision for the match.
• Stewart and Matt Fernandez were the last matchup on the courts at No. 1, with Fernandez winning the marathon 7-5, 6-3.

Match Results
Doubles (Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1)
1. Josh Keitelman / Matt Fernandez (Richmond) def. Gavin Stewart / Zvonko Bencedic (The Citadel) 7-5
2. Campbell Erwin / Klein Evans (Richmond) def. Phillip Quinn / Leo du Plooy (The Citadel) 6-1
3. Alex Wernink / Josh Walsh (Richmond) def. Josiah Schainblatt / Will Graham (The Citadel) 6-3

Singles (Order of Finish: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1)
1. Fernandez (Richmond) def.  Stewart (The Citadel) 7-5, 6-3
2. Evans (Richmond) def. Graham (The Citadel) 6-0, 6-3
3. Quinn (The Citadel) def. Erwin (Richmond) 6-2, 6-3
4. Bencedic (The Citadel) def. Walsh (Richmond) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
5. George Lovitt (Richmond) def. Jack Pyritz (The Citadel) 7-5, 6-3
6. Nick Mueller (Richmond) def. Schainblatt (The Citadel) 7-6 (5), 7-5

QUOTABLES FROM COACH KRIESE
"Give a lot of credit to Richmond for the way they closed out the match. We were in position to win five of our first sets in singles play, but only ended up winning two of them. Those three that we lost, our guys didn't close out and Richmond took advantage. (Richmond) did what they needed to fundamentally. We are going to have to continue to work on figuring out our doubles. I'm proud of our guys and the effort, poise and professionalism they continue to show. The breakdown always comes before the break through, and while this was another tough pill to swallow, I appreciate the guys for hanging tough and know we are headed in the right direction."

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will make the trek over to White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia on Saturday, Feb. 29 for a 1 p.m. match at the Greenbrier against Fairmont State.

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