Belhaven Tennis Teams Drop Season Openers at Home

The Belhaven men’s and women’s tennis teams opened their seasons Friday at Parham Bridges Tennis Center in Jackson, Mississippi. The men’s team lost a close 5-4 decision to Southwest Mississippi Community College before falling 6-3 to East Central Community College later in the afternoon, according to school sources.

Belhaven’s men secured the doubles point against Southwest Mississippi with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Harshith Anugonda and Briley Oakes won 7-5 at No. 2 doubles, while Stephen Spencer and Paul Stager won 6-1 at No. 3. In singles play, Spencer and Oakes delivered victories to keep the match competitive, but Southwest ultimately edged the Blazers.

Later against East Central, the Blazers’ men’s team earned wins at No. 3 doubles and No. 4 and No. 5 singles. Spencer, who remained undefeated in singles after the opener, won 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4. Bernard Jackson also posted a victory at No. 5 singles. However, East Central claimed wins across the top singles positions to secure the team victory.

The women’s team faced a tougher day, losing 9-0 to Southwest Mississippi and later 9-0 to East Central. Against Southwest, the Blazers fought in doubles, with a notable effort at No. 1, but Southwest won all three doubles matches. In singles, Rebekah Nichols and Evey Moore pushed their opponents but ultimately fell short.

Later in the day, East Central swept all three doubles matches and secured wins across the top four singles courts. Belhaven’s Nichols, Moore, Khliyah McCaskill-Ford, and Arica Eason competed but could not prevent the 9-0 shutout.

Belhaven is scheduled to return to action Saturday at Parham Bridges Tennis Center against Rust College at 11 a.m. For the latest updates on Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram or like them on Facebook. Support for Belhaven Athletics is encouraged through Team Green Giving.

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