MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Young Harris College men's tennis team edged NCAA Division I's Alabama State University 4-3 in a non-conference match Sunday (Feb. 7) afternoon at the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center.
                         
The Mountain Lions, who are ranked No. 39 in the latest ITA NCAA Division II rankings, improved to 2-0 while the Hornets fell to 0-2. Young Harris returns to action Friday (Feb. 12) with a 2 p.m. match against Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina.
 
Young Harris took a 1-0 lead after doubles as the Mountain Lions claimed victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 flights. Young Harris held a 3-1 lead after Daniel Tiboldi and Raul Quevedo picked up wins in straight sets at the No. 4 and 5 flights, but Alabama State tied the match at 3 on wins at the top two flights.
 
The Mountain Lions clinched the match as Alejandro Ridruejo defeated Karlo Skovrc 6-3, 7-6 (7-1) at No. 3 singles. Ridruejo fought off six different set points in the second set to force the tiebreaker which he claimed 7-1.
 
#39 YOUNG HARRIS 4, ALABAMA STATE 3
Singles competition
1. Takura Mlambo (ASU) def. Brecht Vangrinsven (YHC) 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
2. Ronald Mataba (ASU) def. Alex Pavel (YHC) 6-7, 6-4, 1-0 (11-9)
3. Alejandro Ridruejo (YHC) def. Karlo Skovrc (ASU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-1)
4. Daniel Tiboldi (YHC) def. Jarred Thompson (ASU) 7-5, 6-1
5. Raul Quevedo (YHC) def. Patrik Cvik (ASU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Szabin Pusztay (ASU) def. Jan-Niklas Graetz (YHC) 7-5, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Raul Quevedo/Alex Pavel (YHC) def. Jarred Thompson/Patrik Cvik (ASU) 6-4
2. Ronald Mataba/Adam Coyne (ASU) vs. Brecht Vangrinsven/Jan-Niklas Graetz (YHC) 5-4, unfinished
3. Daniel Tiboldi/Alejandro Ridruejo (YHC) def. Takura Mlambo/Karlo Skovrc (ASU) 6-4
 
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (5,6,4,3,2,1)