WICHITA FALLS, Texas – No. 15 Midwestern State dropped their home opener to the defending NJCAA Division I National Champions in Tyler Junior College, 6-1, on Friday afternoon at the MSU Tennis Center.

"We were better as a team in doubles today," MSU Texas head coach Scott Linn said. "We got down 5-0 at three doubles and they didn't give and played themselves back into that match. And we finished at one doubles and won the match."

Tyler Junior College clinched the doubles point after the tandem of Lourenco Gasperini/Jeff Guerrero defeated Alberto Diaz/Alex Martinez Roca, 6-4 and Ryo Minakata/Mykhailo Kvantaliani doubled up Abhiram Venkatachalam/Alexandre Crepy, 6-3.

The Apaches earned victories in five of the six singles matches to win their season opener. 

MSU Texas Freshman Alexandre Crepy continued his strong start to his debut season with a super tiebreaking win over Minakata at the number five line 7-6, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7).

"He stepped in and got his second win of the year in singles," Linn said. "He won a tough match."

Box Score
No. 1 Tyler Junior College (1-0) def. No. 15 Midwestern State (1-2)

Doubles
No. 1 – Ben Westwick/Angel Palacios (MSU) def. Jaycer Lyeons/Lamar Bartley (TJC) 7-6
No. 2 – Lourenco Gasperini/Jeff Guerrero (TJC) def. Alberto Diaz/Alex Martinez Roca (MSU) 6-4
No. 3 – Ryo Minakata/Mykhailo Kvantaliani (TJC) def. Abhi Venkatachalam/Alexandre Crepy (MSU) 6-3

Singles
No. 1 – Lamar Bartley (TJC) def. No. 5 Angel Palacios (MSU) 7-6, 6-4
No. 2 – Jaycer Lyeons (TJC) def. Ben Westwick (MSU) 6-4, 7-6
No. 3 – Lourenco Gasperini (TJC) def. Alex Martinez Roca (MSU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6
No. 4 – Jeff Guerrero (TJC) def. Alberto Diaz (MSU( 6-4, 6-3
No. 5 – Alexandre Crepy (MSU) def. Ryo Minakata (TJC) 7-6, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7)
No. 6 – Mykhailo Kvantaliani (TJC) def. Abhiram Venkatachalam (MSU) 7-6, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6)

Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

UP NEXT
The Mustangs are back in action on Saturday with matches against McMurry (10 a.m.) and Hardin-Simmons (3 p.m.)