SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford men's tennis team prevailed, 4-3, over Winthrop on Sunday afternoon at Reeves Tennis Center.
 
Despite cold and windy conditions, the Terriers were able to clinch the match by taking the doubles point, before winning three of the first four singles matches to clinch the victory.
 
"We showed a high degree of toughness," coach Rod Ray said. "I believe we need a win like today, in less than ideal conditions, to allow us to grow as a team."
 
In doubles competition, Haris Poric and Julian Chousa quickly took care of Ruy Teixeira and Aditya Gokhale in the no. 1 position, 6-1. Then, after the Eagles took the second doubles match, 6-3, it was up to Jack Thomas and Patrick Longest to give the Terriers the first point. The pair delivered, winning over Hunter Benefield and Josh Ryan, 6-4, to give the team early momentum.
 
"I thought us improving our doubles play from Friday was key for us," said Ray.
 
In singles competition, Peter Coombs delivered the first point for the Terriers, winning, 6-3, 6-1, from the no. 6 position. The match was the first of Coombs' career.
 
In the no. 5 slot, sophomore Kyle Barr made short work of Winthrop's Josh Ryan, winning 6-1, 6-4, to pull the Terriers within one point of clinching the match.
 
While the Eagles earned a point to close the gap to 3-1, Haris Poric won his match, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), to give the Terriers the match at 4-1. Poric, fell behind in the tiebreak, before winning the final four points to improve his record to a team best 3-1 in singles play.
 
While the Terriers had already clinched the win, the Eagles continued to battle, winning the last two matches in the no. 3 and no. 4 positions.
 
"Winthrop was a strong team and I was impressed with their spirit," Ray said. "To beat a team like that, today was a very good day for us."
 
Up next, the Terriers will have a day off before they take on Gardner-Webb this Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m.
 
Singles Results:

1. Haris Poric (WOF) def. L. Pappayiannis (WINT) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
2. Ruy Teixeira (WINT) def. Parks Schoen (WOF) 6-1, 7-5
3. Gabriel Dias (WINT) def. Jack Thomas (WOF) 7-6 (9-7), 7-5
4. Aditya Gokhale (WINT) def. Julian Chousa (WOF) 6-3, 1-6, 6-1
5. Kyle Barr (WOF) def. Josh Ryan (WINT) 6-1, 6-4
6. Peter Coombs (WOF) def. Hunter Benefield (WINT) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles Results:

1. Haris Poric/Julian Chousa (WOF) def. Ruy Teixeira/Aditya Gokhale (WINT) 6-1
2. Gabirel Dias/L. Pappayiannis (WINT) def. Trevor Gotkowski/Andrew Graham (WOF) 6-3
3. Jack Thomas/Patrick Longest (WOF) def. Hunter Benefield/Josh Ryan (WINT) 6-4