RICHMOND, Ky. – In its first home OVC match of the season, the Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis team took care of business with a 5-1 victory over Belmont Saturday afternoon. The Colonels are now 7-11 overall and 2-1 in league play.

“This was our most spirited win of the year for the guys,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “The players are getting a better understanding that college tennis is a team game. Belmont gave us a really good test today, but I’m glad to see we were up to the challenge.”

Two of the six singles matches went to three sets with the Colonels winning both of those contests. Sophomore Daridge Saidi held off Belmont’s Renato Antun in the No. 1 match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Meanwhile, freshman Lucas Smets did not drop a game at No. 4 singles.

Eastern continues conference play tomorrow with a home match against Tennessee State.

Eastern Kentucky 5, Belmont 1

Singles
1. Daridge Saidi (EKU) def. Renato Antun (BEL)   6-4, 4-6, 6-2
2. Henrique Norbiato (BEL) def. Alex Alvaro (EKU)  6-4, 6-4
3. Juanjo de la Llera (EKU) def. Fernando Mussolini (BEL) 6-3, 6-4
4. Lucas Smets (EKU) def. Navarro Veys (BEL)   6-0, 6-0
5. Joao Maio (EKU) def. Bruno Silva (BEL)   6-4, 2-6, 7-5
6. Florian Graskamp (EKU) def. Hans Nardelli (BEL)   6-1, 6-3

Doubles
DNP

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (7-11, 2-1); Belmont (2-10, 1-3)
Order of Finish: Doubles (DNP); Singles (4, 6, 2, 3, 1*, 5)