Dalton State men's and women's tennis took the court Saturday for a long day of tennis.  The Roadrunner men and women defeated future SSAC conference rival, Martin Methodist, 6-3 and 7-2, respectively.   In the first match of the day, the Lady Roadrunners fell to top ranked Georgia Gwinnett 1-8. 
 
"It was a good showing against teams that are very competitive in the SSAC," said men's coach, Zack Rogers of the victories against Martin Methodist.  The men's team from Martin Methodist was also receiving votes for the NAIA top 25 and was ranked to begin the season. 
"I thought David Draghiceanu (Woodstock, GA) was great today and Nikolay Nikiforov (Moscow, Russia) was also really big in going 2-0 against great competition," added Rogers.  The men moved to 12-4 on the season.  The women are now 9-5.
 
In the loss to Georgia Gwinnett, coach Michel Bates was positive.  "Look, they are the best team in the NAIA, potentially NCAA Division II and would be very competitive in NCAA Division I.  Losing to them with a first year program is no shame and I am really proud of how we have improved during the year.  This match was much more competitive than our first go around in Gwinnett."  With the win over MM, the women were fairly dominant.  "It is always good to gauge yourself against future SSAC opponents, and I like what I saw today,'' added Bates.
 
Results:

 
Women vs. GGC:
 
Doubles
Podda/Fraaijenhoven(GGC) def. Winter/Powell DS)  8-1
Cortino/De Salvo (GGC) def. Sanchez/Narino (DS)  8-2
Costamagna/Sversson (GGC) def. Bejarano/McCutchen (DS) 8-0
 
Singles
Fraaijenhoven (GGC) def. Powell (DS) 6-1, 6-1
Cortina (GGC) def. Narino (DS) 6-2, 6-3
De Salvo (GGC) def. Winter (DS) 6-3, 6-3
Costamagna (GGC) def. Sanchez (DS) 7-6, 6-3
Svensson (GGC) def. Bejarano (DS) 6-0, 6-0
McCutchens  (DS) win by default (injury)
 
Men vs. MM
 
Doubles
Vargas/Arias (MM) def. Arguello/Fava (DS)  8-3
Hornby/Nikiforov (DS)  def. Persson/Emezian (MM) 8-5
Souza/Draghiceanu (DS) def. Lozano/Ajala (MM) 8-1
 
Singles
Nikiforov (DS) def. Vargas (MM) 7-6, 3-6, 7-6
Draghiceanu (DS)  def. Arias  (MM) 6-2, 6-2
Persson (MM) def. Souza (DS) 6-3, 4-6,  6-4
Hornby (DS) def. Lozano (MM) 6-3, 6-1
Ajala (MM) def. Arguello (DS) 6-1, 6-0
Fava (DS) def. Emizan (MM) 7-6, 6-1
 
Women vs. MM:
 
Doubles
Narino/Sanchez (DS) def, Charrys/Thomas (MM) 8-4
Winter/Powell (DS) def. Ryjak/Ariza (MM) 8-0
Bejarano/McCutchens (DS) win by default
 
Singles
Charrys (MM) def. Winter (DS) 3-6, 6-2, 11-9
Powell (DS) def. Ryjak (MM)…retired
Thomas (MM) def. Narino (DS) 6-4, 6-3
Sanchez (DS) def. Ariza (MM) 6-1, 6-1
Bejarano (DS) def. Elkins (MM) 6-0, 6-0
McCutchens (DS) win by default