SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The Western New England University men's tennis team lost a 5-4 heartbreaker to Commonwealth Coast Conference rival Endicott College at the Volvo Outdoor Courts on Monday.

Junior Andres Otero was one of three Golden Bears to win in singles where the teams split in that competition. Otero defeated Eric Pierce in straight sets at No. 2, 6-3, 6-1.

Freshman Nicholas Eherts won his No. 6 singles match 6-3, 6-4 to get the match-clinching fifth point for the Gulls, who led 2-1 after the doubles round.

In addition to Otero, seniors Peter LeFrancois and John Mindek earned singles victories at No. 4 and 5, respectively. LeFrancois beat Sean McAndrews after losing the first set, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 while Mindek suffered a 6-2 opening set loss to come back 6-2, 11-9 to capture his match over Justin Warshavsky.

Juniors Adam Zimmerman and Alexander Sause doubled up Eric Pierce and Warshavsky, 8-4, for a WNE No. 2 doubles triumph.

Western New England falls to 5-5 overall and 2-3 in the CCC while Endicott improves to 6-5 (2-1 CCC) on the year.

The Golden Bears hit the court again on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) at Salve Regina in another conference match-up.
 
Doubles
#1: Chris Kirkpatrick/Michael Dolph (EC) def. Andres Otero/PJ Nassar, 8-6
#2: Adam Zimmerman/Alexander Sause (WNE) def. Justin Warshavsky/Eric Pierce, 8-4
#3: Sean McAndrews/Michael Lauretano (EC) def. Greg Tischofer/Chris Spear, 8-6

Singles
#1: Chris Kirkpatrick (EC) def. Alexander Sause 6-0, 6-3
#2: Andres Otero (WNE) def. Eric Pierce 6-3, 6-1
#3: Michael Dolph (EC) def. Chris Spear 6-2, 6-1
#4: Peter LeFrancois (WNE) def. Sean McAndrews 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
#5: John Mindek (WNE) def. Justin Warshavsky 2-6, 6-2, 11-9
#6: Nicholas Eherts (EC) def. Greg Tischofer 6-3, 6-4

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