AUBURN, Ala. – The Liberty Men’s Tennis team faced a tough start to the season, falling 6-1 to Auburn on Saturday.

Rodrigo Santiago Arraez stood out in the No. 1 singles spot. He battled hard against No. 36 Billy Blaydes. After losing the first set 6-3, Arraez fought back, winning the second set 7-6 in a tiebreak. He then dominated the super tiebreaker, finishing with a score of 10-2. This victory was special for Arraez as it marked his first win against a ranked opponent.

Unfortunately, the Flames couldn’t secure the doubles point, losing both matches on courts one and two. The No. 3 pair, Arraez and Guy Vorwerk, were ahead 5-4 when their match was called off.

In singles play, Liberty managed to secure only one first set overall. Redshirt freshman Benjamin Sparks won the first set 7-5 in the No. 4 match. However, he eventually lost the match 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (8). David Ekpenyong also captured a second set but was ultimately defeated by Manel Lazaro.

Match Summary:

• Singles Results:

  1. R. Santiago Arraez (LIBERTY) def. #36 Billy Blaydes (AUB) 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 (10-2)

  2. 40 Hamza Nasridinov (AUB) def. Carl Roothman (LIBERTY) 6-2, 6-1

  3. Nicholas Heng (AUB) def. Siwanat Auytayakul (LIBERTY) 6-3, 6-2
  4. Joey Phillips (AUB) def. Benjamin Sparks (LIBERTY) 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8)
  5. Freddy Blaydes (AUB) def. Chase Robinson (LIBERTY) 6-4, 6-2
  6. Manel Lazaro (AUB) def. David Ekpenyong (LIBERTY) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

• Doubles Results:

  1. 24 Blaydes/Blaydes (AUB) def. Auytayakul/Roothman (LIBERTY) 6-3

  2. 49 Phillips/Heng (AUB) def. Ekpenyong/Sparks (LIBERTY) 6-4

  3. Kennedy/Kennedy (AUB) vs. Vorwerk/Arraez (LIBERTY) 4-5, unfinished

Liberty aims to improve as they head into their next match against Georgia Tech. The team is eager for a chance to turn things around.

Insights

Recent statistics show that college tennis is becoming increasingly competitive. According to the NCAA, nearly 1,300 schools have men’s tennis programs, indicating a significant growth in participation and talent. This rising level of play is evident in the match against Auburn, where Liberty faced two ranked doubles teams and several ranked singles players.

Moreover, the digital age has transformed how fans engage with sports. Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram are buzzing with the latest updates and personal highlights from players. For example, fans celebrated Arraez’s victory across various platforms, showcasing the importance of community support in athletics.

As Liberty continues its season, improvements in mental and physical training will be crucial. Coaches today emphasize resilience and adaptability, skills that can directly affect match outcomes.

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