ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Ouachita Tigers men's tennis team won their second straight conference match with a 5-4 win over East Central University. The 26th-ranked Tigers improved to 2-0 in the Great American Conference and 9-3 overall. 

Ouachita started off with a 3-0 lead, sweeping the doubles competition. East Central came back strong in the singles competitions, winning the one, three, four and five singles matches. Lennart Lonnemann defeated Alex Fillat in three sets, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 and Luis Chab battled back after a first set loss to defeat Alberto Lapeidra in three, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. The 5-4 win was the third straight for the Tigers this week. 

After the match head coach Craig Ward talked about the takeaways for his team after such a grueling match.

"ECU went down 3-0 after the doubles, however we knew they would come back fighting and they sure did." coach Ward said. "It was a great win and a valuable lesson to never get to happy about a lead after the doubles."

He added, "We came away with a win and some things that will make us better as the season progresses.These types of matches are what make you match tough."

The Tigers will get a break from GAC opponents with four non-conference opponents coming up, including a tough three-match stint in Bolivar, Missouri. Over three days the Tigers will face Northwest Missouri State, Nebraska-Kearney and Southwest Baptist before returning home to face Arkansas-Fort Smith.