SAN ANTONIO, TX - The NJIT men's tennis team fell 5-2 to host Incarnate Word in Southland Conference action on Friday afternoon at the Marby Tennis Center.

NJIT, which entered the match ranked #57 in the ITA computer rankings, dropped to 11-3 on the season, while Cardinals improved to 13-3.

"This was a really tough match," said third-year NJIT Head Coach Marco Matteucci. 

UIW edged the Highlanders in doubles play to go ahead 1-0, winning at the #2 (by tiebreaker) and #3 positions. NJIT's top pairing of Pablo Perez Ramos and Wil Jenkins won 6-4, but it wasn't enough as the Cardinals jumped in front early.

"Doubles came down to a few points, but we let it slip away after serving to win it," added Matteucci.

Perez Ramos got back on track after suffering his first singles loss of the season on Wednesday, in three sets at the top position. NJIT's other singles win came at #6 where German Lopez Andujar earned a straight-set victory. 

"It was a good learning experience due to the stop-and-go play caused by the weather," concluded Matteucci. "We still fought hard and kept battling without just letting things we can't control get the best of us."

The Highlanders will look to get back on track on Wednesday when they travel to take on Army West Point. First serve is slated for 3pm at the Lichtenberg Tennis Center.

Incarnate Word 5, #57 NJIT 2
Singles competition
1. Pablo Perez Ramos (NJIT) def. Joao Sasso (UIW) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
2. Emilio Vila (UIW) def. Wil Jenkins (NJIT) 1-6, 6-4, retired
3. Tomas Reche (UIW) def. Nejc Skorjanc (NJIT) 7-5, 6-2
4. Arnau Miralles (UIW) def. Pavel Petrov (NJIT) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
5. Jose Garmendia (UIW) def. Oscar Callo von Platen (NJIT) 6-3, 6-3
6. German Lopez Andujar (NJIT) def. Noah De Luna (UIW) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Pablo Perez Ramos/Wil Jenkins (NJIT) def. Joao Sasso/Jose Garmendia (UIW) 6-4
2. Tomas Reche/Emilio Vila (UIW) def. Nejc Skorjanc/German Lopez Andujar (NJIT) 7-6
3. Arnau Miralles/Noah De Luna (UIW) def. Pavel Petrov/Oscar Callo von Platen (NJIT) 7-5