RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's tennis program played a thriller against former Ohio Valley Conference opponent, Belmont, on Saturday at the Greg Adams Tennis Center.  The Colonels won, 4-2, off five three-set singles finishes.
 
With the win, EKU (6-11) has won three of its last five matches with one opponent left on the non-conference portion of the 2024-25 schedule.
 
The Colonels decisively won the doubles point over the Bruins with 6-4 victories on court Nos. 1 and 2.  EKU was up on court No. 3 before clinching the point.
 
In singles action, Nuno Pinheiro was the first to finish up defeating Sabi Roi via straight sets and a 6-2, 7-6 finish – pushing EKU's lead to two.
 
Besides singles court No. 2, where Pinheiro won in straights, all five other courts went to three sets to determine a winner.  The Colonels prevailed on court Nos. 4 and 6, consisting of Kartik Parhar and Ryan Kitchin to meet the four-point threshold needed to get the win on Saturday.
 
EKU 4, Belmont 3
 
Doubles
1. Fernando Bulnes and Nuno Pinheiro (EKU) def. Sabi Roi and Stefan Vedovelli (BEL) 6-4
2. Adrian Contreras and Ryan Kitchin (EKU) def. Esunge Ndumbe and Charlie Robin (BEL) 6-4
3. Pepe Miralles and Kartik Parhar (EKU) vs. Diego Castro and Eli Mizerski (BEL) 5-4, unf.
 
Order of Finish: 1,2
 
Singles
1. Esunge Ndumbe (BEL) def. Fernando Bulnes (EKU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
2. Nuno Pinheiro (EKU) def. Sabi Roi (BEL) 6-2, 7-6
3. Charlie Robin (BEL) def. Adrian Contreras (EKU) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6
4. Kartik Parhar (EKU) def. Diego Castro (BEL) 6-7, 6-2, 7-5
5. Stefan Vedovelli (BEL) vs. Romeo Elfving Navarro (EKU) 5-7, 7-6, 4-1, unf.
6. Ryan Kitchin (EKU) def. Niklas von Hellens (BEL) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
 
Order of Finish: 2,1,3,4,6
 
Next Up
EKU men's tennis returns to action on March 7 at 2 p.m. ET on the road against Southern Indiana.