Singles Victories Lead Tartans Past Youngstown State, 4-3

(BOARDMAN, Ohio) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's tennis team traveled to play Division I Youngstown State University, defeating the Penguins, 4-3, at the Boardman Tennis Center on Friday, February 16. The Tartans are now 5-1 overall while the Penguins drop to 2-6.

The Tartans fell behind after doubles action, 1-0, but the third doubles pair of junior Chaz Downing (Newport Beach, Calif. / Corona Del Mar) and sophomore Nicholas Calzolano (Hinsdale, Ill. / Hinsdale Central) won 7-5.

Youngstown took a 3-0 lead with wins at third and sixth singles before junior Daniel Levine (Highland Park, Ill. / Boca Prep International School) put the Tartans on the board with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) at first singles.

Sophomore Robert Levin (Virginia Beach, Va. / Princess Anne) was next to finish when he won 6-4, 6-1 at fifth singles. Freshman Kailas Shekar (Saratoga, Calif. / Saratoga) then came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at fourth singles to tie the match at 3-all with Downing in the middle of a third set at second singles.

Downing finished that singles match with a 6-1 third-set win to give the Tartans the fourth and final point of the match. Downing's final score was 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.

The Tartans will return to action against Division III opponents on Friday, February 23 when they play the University of Chicago in the opening round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in St. Peter, Minnesota.