LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A stretch of three matches in three days for North Dakota men's tennis ended at the hands of Eastern Kentucky as the Fighting Hawks fell 4-2 on Sunday afternoon.  
 
The weekend conclusion moves UND to 4-3 overall to start the season.
 
UND's tandem of Leo Galliano and Walker Valentine cruised to a dominant 6-1 victory from the No. 2 spot in doubles play, but the Colonels grabbed wins from the No. 1 and No. 3 courts to take the 1-0 advantage.
 
In singles play, the Hawks collected two total victories off the top and fourth spots for its lone two points on the day. Galliano battled his way to a strong 6-4, 6-3 win from the No. 1 court while down on court No. 4, Kotaro Matsumura rallied for his gritty win. After dropping the opening set 3-6, Matsumura dominated in the second set, 6-1, to force a super tiebreaker. The junior kept the momentum and turned up the heat to go up 10-5 and take the win.
 
But Eastern Kentucky would go on to grab three more wins from the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 courts to secure the 4-3 win over North Dakota.
 
North Dakota men's tennis will be back in action next weekend with a trip south to Lincoln, Nebraska, where the Fighting Hawks will first take on Ole Miss on Saturday, February 7.

For more information on North Dakota men's tennis, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDmtennis.