Posted: Feb 28, 2026

Wildcats Battle Hard Against No. 5 Lindsey Wilson College

MCKENZIE, Tenn. — The Bethel men's tennis team showed grit and determination Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell 7-0 to No. 5 Lindsey Wilson at the Dr. Deborah Thompson Tennis Complex in a match that lasted more than four hours.

Despite the final score, the Wildcats competed point-for-point with one of the top teams in the nation and forced the Blue Raiders to earn every court.

Bethel came out with energy in doubles play. At No. 1 doubles, Kenzo Nishioka and Guilherme Nomura battled before falling 6-2. Lucca Nesi and Gabriel Perini turned in a strong performance at the top spot, narrowly dropping a 6-4 decision. The closest doubles contest came at No. 3, where Andrej Jovanovic and Gustavo Santos pushed their opponents to a tight 7-6 finish.

In singles, the Wildcats continued to fight. Gabriel Perini highlighted the afternoon at No. 2 singles, taking the opening set 7-5 before eventually falling in three sets. Jovanovic competed at No. 1 singles, while Santos, Nesi, Nishioka, and Mateo Prado each battled through tough matchups against a deep Lindsey Wilson lineup.

Head Coach Derrick Hubble remained encouraged by his team's effort against elite competition.

"I'm really proud of how our guys competed today," Hubble said. "When you play a top five team in the country, you find out a lot about yourself. We had multiple courts that could have gone either way, and the fight, composure, and energy we showed for over four hours is something we can build on. If we continue to bring that level every day, we're going to see results."

Though the scoreboard favored the visitors, Bethel's intensity and endurance were evident throughout the 4-hour, 9-minute contest as the Wildcats continue to grow and prepare for the challenges ahead.