PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – The regionally-ranked West Liberty University men's tennis team dropped a tight 4-3 decision to Bluefield State here Tuesday in a mutual regular season finale at City Park.

    Coach Ron Hulewicz's Hilltoppers, who slotted in at No. 6 in the most recent set of NCAA Division I Atlantic Region rankings, saw a game comeback effort in singles fall just short after losing the doubles point at the start of the match.

    Joao Benvenutti and Zarion Jones delivered straight-set wins at No. 3 and No. 6 singles, respectively. Moritz Erpel bounced back from a 6-1 loss in the opening set of his match at No. 1 singles to dominate the next two sets, 6-2 6-1, and take the victory.

    Unfortunately, the Big Blues were able to prevail at the Nos. 2, 4 and 5 slots to earn a 3-3 split in singles and walk away with the victory.

    The West Liberty men are the No. 4 seed in this weekend's Mountain East Conference Tournament. The Hilltoppers will take on top-seeded and nationally-ranked Charleston in a 2:30 p.m. semifinal Saturday afternoon in Charleston.