MEMPHIS, Tenn. | The Tuskegee University tennis programs dropped a pair of matches to Benedict College at the SIAC Crossover Thursday morning.
 
On the men's side, the Golden Tigers dropped their fifth match of the season as they fell to Benedict 9-0; while on the women's side, Tuskegee dropped a heartbreaking 5-3 match to Benedict.
 
On the men's side, Benedict held a 2-0 lead before the match ever began as Tuskegee defaulted at number three doubles and number six singles. Benedict won both doubles matches by an identical 8-4 score to take a 4-0 lead heading into singles play.
 
In singles play, Tuskegee dropped each of the first three singles matches that clinched the overall match for Benedict.
 
Men's Match
Benedict 9, Tuskegee 0
Singles
1. Nathanial Pinkney (Benedict) def. Michael Graham (Tuskegee) 6-1, 6-0
2. Quentin Eloise (Benedict) def. Oshane Trail (Tuskegee) 6-0, 6-2
3. Zibusiso Ndimande (Benedict) def. Brandon Sewell (Tuskegee) 6-2, 6-0
4. Justin Payton (Benedict) def. Jalen Law (Tuskegee) 10-1
5. Juan Hernandez (Benedict) def. Reggie Richardson (Tuskegee) 8-4
6. Malek Selmen (Benedict) won by default
Doubles
1. Pinkney/Eloise (Benedict) def. Graham/Richardson (Tuskegee), 8-4
2. Hernandez/Payton (Benedict) def. Trail/Sewell (Tuskegee), 8-4
3. Ndimande/Selmen (Benedict) won by default
 
Meanwhile, on the women's side, Benedict jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after doubles play in which they won each match but not before Tuskegee had a chance to win at number two and three. They dropped an 8-6 decision at number three doubles, before dropping the match at number two 9-7.
 
In singles play, Tuskegee had to win five matches to win the match and nearly accomplished the feat. They got wins at number three – Monica Thomas with a straight-set victory – and at number five when Navilla Paul won going away at 6-1, 6-0. They also won at number six where Taylor Wilson won easily 6-3, 6-2.
 
However, Benedict needed just two matches to win, and they got those points at number two and in a three-set thriller at number one.
 
Women's Match
Benedict 5, Tuskegee 3
Singles
1. Karla Flores (Benedict) def. Reicia North (Tuskegee) 6-4, 2-6, 6-0
2. Esther Zelaya (Benedict) def. Kayla Triche (Tuskegee) 6-0, 6-0
3. Monica Thomas (Tuskegee) def. Daniella Rios (Benedict) 7-5, 6-3
4. Kimberly Bowen (Tuskegee) vs. Danielle Copeland (Benedict), DNF
5. Navilla Paul (Tuskegee) def. Juliet Campbell (Benedict) 6-1, 6-0
6. Taylor Wilson (Tuskegee) def. Adrienne Malov (Benedict) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. Zelaya/Flores (Benedict) def. North/Thomas (Tuskegee), 8-2
2. Copeland/Rios (Benedict) def. Thomas/Bowen (Tuskegee), 9-7
3. Campbell/Milow (Benedict) def. Wilson/Triche (Tuskegee), 8-6
 
Tuskegee will continue play in the SIAC Crossover, facing Lane College Thursday afternoon; before playing three matches on Friday.
 
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