ALLIANCE, Ohio – Behind a thrilling last ditch effort by Aaron Askew in the final match-up of the day, the Capital University men's tennis team sunk the University of Mount Union on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 5-4. The win over Mount Union was Capital's first since the 2016 season. 

The Comets (6-7, 1-0 OAC) finished up doubles action, trailing 2-1 before rattling off four out of six wins at singles to take the match. 

"What a thrilling win for our program," said head coach Cody Hurley. "At the beginning of the year, we marked this match as we set out to avenge our two losses last season. It feels amazing to return to Columbus with this W." 

The lone doubles pairing to claim victory was the third duo of Jesse Stevens and Aaron Askew who defeated Adam and Andy McMillen by the slimmest of margins at 8-7. 

Leonardo Abreu and Alex Stout dropped first doubles by a similar 8-7 scoreline to Mount's Colton Mace and Ryan McClure, while the second doubles pairing of Colin Welch and Spencer Surles fell to Lawyer Penird and Holden Schmid by a score of 8-4. 

Singles action went much to the favor of Capital and included some lengthy battles. 

At first singles, Abreu outlasted Mace in straight sets, 7-5 and 6-2. Surles won his bout at third singles via set wins of 6-0 and 7-6. Stevens leveled the team score at 4-4 with a win at fifth singles, taking the sets in order 6-0, 6-3. With all eyes following the sixth singles match as the last to finish, Askew delivered the goods, defeating Adam McMillen 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to take the match for Capital. 

Alex Stout (second singles) and Colin Welch (fourth singles) both dropped their individual match-ups today. Stout went three sets with McClure, falling 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, before Welch dropped his bout in order 1-6, 2-6. 

MORE FROM COACH HURLEY
"I'm proud of how our group of underclassmen responded after dropping two doubles matches. We didn't panic, and focused on taking care of individual business in singles."

"I couldn't be more proud of Aaron Askew. He has completely turned around his season with four straight singles wins. He embraced the moment and delivered a huge win for our team with all the pressure on his shoulders." 

UP NEXT
Capital will return to the courts on Friday, April 1st at 7 p.m. as they host John Carroll in Columbus. The match will be played at Tennis Ohio near Upper Arlington. The match will also serve as Capital's Ovarian Cancer Awareness Match – a match dedicated to the memory of Debbie Hurley, the mother of Capital head coach Cody Hurley, who lost her battle to ovarian cancer. More information will be forthcoming early next week with details surrounding the match and ways you can support the cause.