CLINTON, S.C. – Presbyterian slipped past Furman, 4-3, in men's tennis action Tuesday at the Templeton Tennis Courts in Clinton, S.C., in a tightly contested match-up that included four three-set singles matches.

The Blue Hose swept the doubles matches to clinch the opening point.  Rafael Berghas and Joel Roberts teamed up for an 8-5 win over junior Jacob Behal and freshman Adam Steryous in the top flight, and Ryan Miller and Ben Kelley defeated seniors Alex Christ and Joel Cook, 8-4, at number two.  The Blue Hose duo of Diego Manzanas and Grayson Mills posted an 8-4 victory versus sophomores Ben Horst and Matt Browne in the flight three contest.

Furman tied the match at 1-all after Cook bested Gonzalo Asis, 6-3, 6-4, at flight six, before Presbyterian's Miller held on for a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win against Horst at number four.  The Blue Hose took a 3-1 lead after Mills defeated Browne, 6-2, 7-6, in the top- flighted match, but the Paladins remained within striking distance when Steryous cut the deficit to 3-2 with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 win over Berghaus at number two.

Kelley clinched the team win for the Blue Hose, defeating freshman Juan Sheppard 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 at flight five, before Behal came from behind for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory over Roberts at number three.

Furman (5-4) will return home to open the Southern Conference season versus Georgia Southern on March 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mickel Tennis Center.

Presbyterian College 4, Furman 3
Feb 18, 2014 at Clinton, S.C. (Templeton Tennis Courts)