Results

ERIE, Pa.  – A pair of wins from both senior Patrick Cole and sophomore Tyler Triolo were not enough, as North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Denison edged the Gators, 5-4, in a dramatic, six-hour marathon match at the Westwood Racquet Club.

Cole won a dramatic decision at top-flight singles, 7-6 (16-14), 6-0, to improve his 2013-14 record to 12-3.  Triolo added a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win at second-flight to put the Gators ahead early.  Denison responded by winning third, fourth and sixth singles, forging a split after senior Charlie Murphy won his fifth flight singles match, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4.

In doubles play, Cole and Triolo won a dramatic decision at No. 1 doubles, 8-6.  The pairing, ranked No. 10 in the preseason Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III Central Region Poll, improve their record to 12-3.

Allegheny nearly upended the Big Red, who entered the match in a tie for No. 11 in the ITA Division III Central Region Poll.  Trailing, 4-1 early during the match, the Gators staged a determined comeback effort.  Junior Daniel Conroy held six match points, but Jackson O'Gorman Bean of Denison was able to fend off the junior's attempt to clinch the match, winning No. 6 singles, 7-5, 6-7 (9-11), 6-3.

The Gators will next travel to Eastlake, Ohio on Mar. 1 to battle Wabash and Case Western Reserve.