HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Despite sophomore Vinicius Botelho winning his seventh straight singles match, the Newberry men's tennis team was unable to comeback from a 3-0 deficit after doubles play, as the Coker Cobras edged Newberry 5-4 at the Coker Tennis Courts.

Newberry challenged the Cobras at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, falling by two games in No. 2 and dropping a tiebreaker at No. 1 doubles.

Down 3-0 the Wolves were forced to battle in singles play, where the Wolves earned four victories on the afternoon. The Wolves four wins in singles play was not enough as a pair of Coker wins secured the match for the Cobras.

At No. 1 singles, sophomore Michael Saunders (Christchurch, New Zealand) took down Leonardo Lima in straight sets, the same task that Botelho (Fortaleza, Brazil) accomplished at No. 2 singles.

Newberry earned another victory at No. 5 where freshman Carlos Nicolopulos (Valencia, Venezuela) lost only four games to opponent Billy Simpson. Sophomore David Sons (Lexington, S.C.) was victorious in the same fashion as Nicolopulos at No. 6 singles.

Newberry next plays on Friday in Orangeburg, S.C. as the Wolves visit South Carolina State. On Saturday the Wolves will open their spring break trip to Hilton Head against Michigan Tech.

Coker College 5, Newberry 4
Feb 29, 2012
Hartsville, SC
Coker Tennis Courts

Singles
1. Michael Saunders (NEWM) def. Leonardo Lima (COKERMT) 6-3, 6-4
2. Vinicius Botelho (NEWM) def. James Corfield (COKERMT) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
3. Manel Estruga (COKERMT) def. Mohammed Chakir (NEWM) 6-1, retired
4. Guillermo Aylon (COKERMT) def. Cal Loveridge (NEWM) 7-5, 6-4
5. Carlos Nicolopulos (NEWM) def. Billy Simpson (COKERMT) 6-4, 6-0
6. David Sons (NEWM) def. Ricardo Perez (COKERMT) 6-4, 6-0

Doubles
1. Leonardo Lima/Manel Estruga (COKERMT) def. Vinicius Botelho/Michael Saunders (NEWM) 9-8 (7-2)
2. James Corfield/Guillermo Aylon (COKERMT) def. Mohammed Chakir/Cal Loveridge (NEWM) 8-6
3. Billy Simpson/Ricardo Perez (COKERMT) def. James Bethea/Jeffery Kiser (NEWM) 8-3