EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 34^th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men's tennis team dropped a close matchup with 36^th-ranked Grand Valley State, falling to the Lakers 5-4 Friday at Wesselman Park.

The Screaming Eagles held a 2-1 advantage after doubles play, but were unable to hold onto the lead. After falling behind 1-0, sophomores Ilia Karelin (Ekaterinburg, Russia) and Andrew Dones (Georgetown, Indiana) tied the match with an 8-3 victory at number three. USI then took a 2-1 lead behind the duo of senior Aaron Barris (Marietta, Georgia) and junior Samuel Kiladejo (London, England), as they picked up an 8-4 win at number two.

USI dropped the first three singles matches to fall behind 4-2, before freshman Denis Davydov (Chorvatsky Grob, Slovakia) got the Eagles back within a point with a 6-4, 6-1 win at number two. GVSU then sealed the win with a point at number five, and Barris won at number four 7-5, 6-4, to give the match its final tally.

Next up for the Eagles is a trip to Illinois Springfield, as they open up GLVC play tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.