ORLANDO, Fla. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology split two matches against strong competition, defeating regional foe Augustana (Ill.) 7-2 after falling 6-1 to NCAA Division I Loyola (Md.) in men's tennis action on Monday.
Against Loyola, junior Brandon Benedict led the Rose-Hulman performance with a victory at the No. 2 singles position. Benedict won by a margin of 6-2, 7-6 in the effort.
The match featured NCAA Division I scoring with doubles as one point, causing the 6-1 match score. Benedict teamed with Georges Adam to win 8-3 at the No. 1 doubles spot, but Loyola won the remaining two doubles matches to earn the point.
The tight match featured two third-set tiebreak losses in singles play that could have dramatically changed the overall score.
On Monday afternoon, Rose-Hulman topped an Augustana team that defeated regionally ranked Wabash earlier this season. The Fightin' Engineers relied on a sweep of the three doubles matches by Adam and Benedict; Andre Adam and Cam Metzger; and Joe Kendall and Matt Conrad to propel the victory.
In singles play, Benedict, Andre Adam, Conrad and freshman Andrew Schiffman each picked up victories.
Rose-Hulman stands 2-3 overall and returns to action with two matches on Tuesday and one match on Wednesday as part of its Florida trip.
