HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – The Guilford College men's tennis team wrapped up its regular season on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-2 to nationally ranked No. 61 Hampden-Sydney College in a hard-fought ODAC matchup at the H-SC Tennis Courts. Despite the loss, the Quakers (6-10, 4-5 ODAC) showed plenty of fight, taking two singles matches off the Tigers (13-7, 7-2 ODAC) and keeping several contests tight.

Hampden-Sydney seized early momentum in doubles play, sweeping all three courts to secure the opening point. Evan Wong (Greensboro, N.C.) and Henry Austin (Winterville, N.C.) fell 6-2 at No. 3 doubles, while Kade Talton (Pilot Mountain, N.C.) and Turner Johnson (Oak Ridge, N.C.) dropped their match at No. 2 by the same score. On court one, Andres Mercedes (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) and Brandon Hermes (West Hartford, Conn.) battled tough but came up short in a tight 7-6 decision against Barrett Foster and Thomas Davis.

In singles, Mercedes capped his regular season in style, cruising past Foster 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot to pick up one of Guilford's two points. Hermes followed with another strong showing, defeating Emerson Rice 6-3, 7-5 at No. 3 singles to keep the Quakers within striking distance.The Tigers, however, managed to close out the match on the remaining courts. Austin fell 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, and Johnson dropped a 6-0, 6-0 decision at No. 6. Meanwhile, both Talton and Wong were forced to retire mid-match at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively, giving Hampden-Sydney the final edge.

With the regular season now complete, Guilford has clinched the No. 7 seed for the ODAC Tournament. The Quakers will open postseason play on Wednesday, traveling to face No. 2 seed Averett University in a quarterfinal matchup. First serve is scheduled for 2 PM. in Danville, Va.

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