SENATOBIA – Facing its third nationally-ranked opponent of the season, the Northwest men's tennis team put up a fight on Wednesday but still fell 6-3 to No. 17 East Central.

East Central swept the three doubles points, although the Rangers tested the Warriors on the No. 1 and 2 positions.

Freshman Joshua Stephenson claimed his first collegiate singles victory with a 6-2, 7-5 victory on William Wooten at the No. 1 slot. Dalton Young and Adam Holley also notched victories at Nos. 3 and 4, but East Central took the final three singles matches to seal the victory.

Northwest fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss and will travel to New Albany on Friday, March 31 to take on Northeast. The match is slated for an 11 a.m. start.

Singles competition
1. Joshua Stephenson (NWCC) def. William Wooten (ECCC) 6-2, 7-5
2. John Jimenez (ECCC) def. Zak Harbin (NWCC) 6-1, 6-1
3. Dalton Young (NWCC) def. Joseph Jabour (ECCC) 6-4, 6-4
4. Adam Holley (NWCC) def. Mark Stewart (ECCC) 6-0, 6-0
5. Brandon Rogers (ECCC) def. Quentin Hutchinson (NWCC) 6-1, 6-2
6. Graham Murphree (ECCC) def. Xavier Curtis (NWCC) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Tom Langelaar/Joseph Jabour (ECCC) def. Joshua Stephenson/Adam Holley (NWCC) 8-4
2. John Jimenez/Mark Stewart (ECCC) def. Zak Harbin/Dalton Young (NWCC) 8-5
3. William Wooten/Brandon Rogers (ECCC) def. Xavier Curtis/Quentin Hutchinson (NWCC) 8-1