RICHMOND, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Tennis dropped a hard-fought battle at NCAA Division I Eastern Kentucky Saturday afternoon, falling to the Colonels 5-2. 

Senior Aaron Barris (Marietta, Georgia) and junior Samuel Kiladejo (London, England) tallied the only doubles win for USI, defeating Diego Asis and Guillem Sanchis 6-3 at number one doubles. Per NCAA Division I scoring, EKU grabbed the lone point by taking the other two matches. 

The 37th ranked Screaming Eagles (1-1) would continue to battle in singles play, with sophomore James Hardiman taking the 7-6, 6-3 victory at the top flight. Also picking up a win was freshman Denis Davydov (Chorvatsky Grob, Slovakia) at number three singles, as he defeated Jan Kuehling in three sets, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. 

After splitting the first two sets 6-4 apiece at number five singles, sophomore Ilia Karelin (Ekaterinburg, Russia) came up just short in the third set dropping the tiebreaker 1-0.

The Eagles conclude their busy weekend tomorrow when they face Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a noon (CST) start time.