Storm stung on the road by Fighting Bees

MOLINE, Ill. - The Simpson College men's tennis team was tripped up in a road match by St. Ambrose at the Quad City Tennis Club on Thursday.

The rules were slightly different for the match score. Since the Fighting Bees (6-4) are an NAIA institution, there is only one doubles point. Whichever team won at least two of the three doubles matches got the opening point.

The Fighting Bees won at No. 1 doubles, but the Storm (2-7) rebounded with a win at the No. 3 spot, as the duo of Ethan Humble and Drake Downard claimed victory, 6-4. Humble and Downard now boast a 6-2 record in doubles, winning their last six matches. The Fighting Bees and Storm were locked in a battle at No. 2 doubles, but St. Ambrose got the deciding break of serve, claiming the match and doubles point with a 7-5 win.

Unfortunately for the Storm, the Fighting Bees won in straight sets at the first five singles positions, claiming the overall match win. However, Downard won in straight sets against his opponent at the No. 6 spot, continuing his fine form this season. In addition to the doubles streak listed above, Downard is 5-2 in dual match singles play, winning his last three matches.

Up Next

The Storm have about three weeks off before opening American Rivers Conference play in its first home match of the spring season against Buena Vista on Mar. 29.

St. Ambrose 6, Simpson 1

Doubles
1. Paulo Vitor/Brian Lelm (SAUM) def. Javier Robles/Grant Love (SIMM) 6-2
2. Gabriel Guimaray/Gianfranco Garica (SAUM) def. Caleb Vasconez/Aaron Price (SIMM) 7-5
3. Ethan Humble/Drake Downard (SIMM) def. Bennet Piotrowski/Greyson Piotrowski (SAUM) 6-4

Singles
1. Paulo Vitor (SAUM) def. Caleb Vasconez (SIMM) 6-0, 6-1
2. Brian Lelm (SAUM) def. Javier Robles (SIMM) 6-3, 6-1
3. Gabriel Guimaray (SAUM) def. Aaron Price (SIMM) 7-5, 6-0
4. Gianfranco Garcia (SAUM) def. Ethan Humble (SIMM) 6-2, 6-3
5. Bennet Piotrowski (SAUM) def. Grant Love (SIMM) 6-3, 6-2
6. Drake Downard (SIMM) def. Connor Leibforth (SAUM) 6-3, 6-2