DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In its first spring break match, the Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis fell to host Embry-Riddle Monday afternoon, 5-2. The Colonels (7-6) have now dropped two straight matches.

Sophomores Parul Verma (No. 5) and Emilio Piriz (No. 6) were the only EKU players to come away victorious in singles. Verma outlasted Embry-Riddle’s Luke Maricic in a four-hour, three-set marathon. Piriz improved to a team-best 8-2 overall with a straight-set victory over Embry-Riddle’s Alex Perez.

“I think our team is still adjusting to outdoor tennis, but give Embry-Riddle a ton of credit because they have a pretty good team,” Eastern Kentucky head coach Rob Oertel said.

The Colonels continue their Florida road trip on Tuesday, March 9 at North Florida.

Embry-Riddle 5, Eastern Kentucky 2

Singles
1. Jan Hoekzema (ERU) def. Hugo Klientovsky (EKU) 6-3, 6-7, 6-0
2. Peter Francis (ERU) def. Niklas Schroeder (EKU) 6-7, 6-4, 6-1
3. Charlie Rice (ERU) def. Carlos Valdenebro (EKU) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
4. Istvan Bolgar (ERU) def. Carles Pons (EKU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Parul Verma (EKU) def. Luke Maricic (ERU) 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-5
6. Emilio Piriz (EKU) def. Alex Perez (ERU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Hoekzema/Huegas (ERU) def. Klientovsky/Schroeder (EKU) 8-6
2. Bolgar/Francis (ERU) def. Janz/Verma (EKU) 8-4
3. Maricic/Rice (ERU) def. Pons/Valdenebro (EKU) 8-5

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (7-6); Embry-Riddle (7-3)