UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – With a huge comeback win on court five, Miko Eala clinched the victory for the Penn State men's tennis team (4-2) over Liberty, 4-3, Friday night at the Indoor Tennis Center.
"This was a great tennis match," said head coach Jeff Zinn. "They took it to us, we were battling on every court. I couldn't be more proud of our guys. We covered our home court advantage and we played well. It was a really good match against a team that made the NCAA tournament last year so we feel great about it. It's great that Miko can come back and get the win. One through six was really strong and we can hang at those positions. Everyone competed today, but we have another tough match in Princeton on Sunday. We have to be ready and play like we did today."
"Great win! We knew Liberty was going to be tough," said associate head coach Paul Tobin. "We beat them in the fall, but they were without their number one player. They're a very well-coached team and very deep. Getting the doubles point was crucial, hats off to Miko and Charl for coming back from 1-4 to clinch the point. With a lot of pressure on Miko, he did an unbelievable job, clinching the match for us."
DOUBLES
Penn State jumped out to an early lead with its doubles victory, earning wins on courts one and three.
Malik Bhatnagar and Alexander Karman collected their fourth win as partners in a 6-3 decision over Liberty's Christaan Worst and Deji Thomas-Smith. On court three, Eala and Charl Morgan launched a massive comeback to clinch the point and earn the win, 7-6 (7) over Josh Wilson and Goncalo Ferreira.
Chikaya Sato and Bora Sengul faced off against Nicaise Muamba and Rafael Marques Da Silva with a score of 6-5 in an unfinished match.
SINGLES
Penn State picked up wins on the last three courts to secure the win.
Byers collected his fifth-straight victory and Penn State's first singles point in a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Worst. He is 5-0 on the season. On court six, Bossem defeated Liberty's Thando Longwe-Smit 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets to tie the match at three.
At No. 5, Eala took down Thomas-Smith, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the win for the Nittany Lions.
RESULTS
Penn State 4, Liberty 3
Doubles Results
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Malik Bhatnagar/Alexander Karman (PSU) def. Christaan Worst/Deji Thomas-Smith (LU), 6-3
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Chikaya Sato/Bora Sengul (PSU) vs. Nicaise Muamba/Rafael Marques Da Silva (LU), 6-5, unfinished
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Miko Eala/Charl Morgan (PSU) def. Josh Wilson/Goncalo Ferreira (LU), 7-6 (7)
Order of finish: 1, 3
Singles Results
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Nicaise Muamba (LU) def. Malik Bhatnagar (PSU), 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-3
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Josh Wilson (LU) def. Chikaya Sato (PSU), 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-2
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Rafael Marques Da Silva (LU) def. Bora Sengul (PSU), 6-1, 6-4
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Loren Byers (PSU) def. Christaan Worst (LU), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
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Miko Eala (PSU) def. Deji Thomas-Smith (LU), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
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Sam Bossem (PSU) def. Thando Longwe-Smit (LU), 6-3, 6-4
Order of finish: 3, 4, 2, 1, 6, 5
UP NEXT
Penn State will travel to Princeton to take on the Tigers on Sunday, Feb. 11 at noon ET.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State men's tennis team during the season. Follow the team on Twitter @pennstateMTEN, Instagram @pennstatemtennis and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstatemenstennis.