MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Playing in their third match in as many days, the Freed-Hardeman University Lions faced the No. 35 Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm. The Lions kept it close against the NCAA DII opponent, but ultimately fell 7-0.

On the No. 1 court for the Lions Merlin Bolema and Nolan Laduree took Southeastern's No. 30 ranked duo Juan Gonzalez and Marin Jurkovic to a tiebreak, but the Savage Storm won the doubles match 7-6 (11-9).

The Lions faced two ranked opponents on the No. 1 and No. 2 courts, with Bolema falling 6-3, 6-0 to the No. 53 Juan Gonzalez, while Pablo Poleo had a tough test against No. 72 Sitpan Mazdar, but lost 6-4, 6-2. Laduree continues to battle, forcing a tiebreak set but falling 2-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-6).


Freed-Hardeman (3-9) vs. No. 35 Southeastern Oklahoma State (8-3)
Memphis, Tennessee
March 18, 2024

Doubles
1. No. 30 Juan Gonzalez/Marin Jurkovic (SOSU) def. Merlin Bolema/Nolan Laduree (FHU); 7-6 (11-9)
2. Stipan Madzar/Thabo Ncube (SOSU) def. Theo Devals/Pablo Poleo (FHU); 6-2
3. Marcus Del Rosario/Gen Naraya (SOSU) def. Brayden Martin/Braden Young (FHU); 6-2

Order of finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles
1. No. 53 Juan Gonzalez (SOSU) def. Merlin Bolema (FHU); 6-3, 6-0
2. No. 72 Stipan Madzar (SOSU) def. Pablo Poleo (FHU); 6-4, 6-2
3. Thabo Ncube (SOSU) def. Nolan Laduree (FHU); 2-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-6)
4. Gen Naraya (SOSU) def. Theo Devals (FHU); 6-4, 6-3
5. David Palomares (SOSU) def. Braden Young (FHU); 6-1, 6-0
6. Tuke Tinnock (SOSU) def. Brayden Marting (FHU); 6-1, 6-0

Order of finish: 6, 3, 4, 1, 5, 2