CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel tennis team competed in a pair of tightly contested matches Monday, defeating Augusta, 4–3, before falling to Campbell, 4–3.

Match 1 – The Citadel 4, Augusta 3
Results

Augusta claimed the doubles point with victories at all three positions to take an early 1–0 lead.

The Citadel responded in singles play, winning four matches to secure the comeback victory. Brady Gober earned a three-set win at No. 2, 6–1, 3–6, 6–2. Reece Beckendorf added a straight-set victory at No. 5, 6–1, 6–4, and Graham Hardin battled to a 7–5, 7–6 decision at No. 6.

The decisive point came at No. 4 singles, where Ted Bagwell rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Humberto Pinto, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, clinching the match for The Citadel.


Match 2 – Campbell 4, The Citadel 3 
Results

The Citadel carried momentum into the second match of the day and secured the doubles point with a 6–2 victory from Ted Bagwell and Brady Gober at No. 1 doubles.

In singles play, The Citadel earned three wins. Bagwell again delivered in pressure moments, defeating Aleksandar Hudjec, 7–6, 7–6, at the No. 4 position. Beckendorf posted a 6–2, 7–5 win at No. 5, and Hardin added a 6–1, 6–3 victory at No. 6.

Campbell ultimately clinched the match to secure the 4–3 decision.


Following the doubleheader, head coach Chuck Kriese reflected on the day's competition.

"Those were two hard-fought matches," Kriese said. "We were flat in doubles to start against Augusta and were on our heels early. After doubles, Noah Van Dyke and Ted Bagwell stepped up and met with the team, and the response in singles was outstanding. The guys battled on every court."

Kriese highlighted Bagwell's performance in particular.

"Ted came through in a big way for us," he said. "He clinched the Augusta match in a tight third set and then followed it up with two tiebreak wins against Campbell. He's a war horse when it comes to clutch play and getting things done when they're on the line."

While the loss to Campbell was difficult, Kriese emphasized the growth shown by the team.

"As much as it hurts to lose a close one, our team took a significant step forward," he said. "We have been physically capable of competing with anyone. Now we are learning how to handle pressure and perform at our best when matches are on the line. That comes from going through these battles. There is no substitute for it."

Up Next, The Citadel travels to Clinton, S.C., on Friday, Feb. 27, for a pair of matches against North Carolina A&T and host Presbyterian.

To stay up to date with The Citadel men's tennis program, visit CitadelSports.com and follow the Bulldogs on Twitter and Instagram by searching @CitadelMten.