PIKEVILLE, Ky.— The Montreat men's tennis team dove back into Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Friday with an afternoon team match versus the University of Pikeville Bears. Playing against a squad receiving votes in the NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the Cavaliers fought valiantly but came up just short, losing a 4-3 final. With the defeat, Montreat slid to 1-8 (1-2 AAC) on the year.
 
Pikeville (2-1, 1-0 AAC) controlled doubles play by winning all three matchups. Ibai Lopez and Youssef Idboufous put up the stiffest test at No. 3, but the tandem ultimately dropped a 7-5 set.
 
Needing four of the six singles matches to go in their favor, the Cavs almost got their wish. Daniel Garcia Estrabot bounced back from a first-set defeat at No. 2 to seize the final two frames, 6-1 and 6-4. On the fourth singles court, Lopez also responded after dropping the opening set. The Zaragoza, Spain native cruised across his final two frames played, 6-0 and 6-3.
 
Idboufous pushed the visitors within a point of victory thanks to his triumph at No. 3. The freshman needed just two sets, sweeping his matchup by a 6-0, 6-4 score; however, Montreat couldn't find that last team point.
 
The Bears won in straight sets on the first and fifth courts. Coupled with the doubles point, the hosts stood just one victory away from seizing their first conference win. Jorge Cebria went down to the wire at No. 6, but in the end, the final singles showdown went the way of UPIKE, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
 
Montreat takes on the 21^st-ranked Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs tomorrow afternoon in another AAC battle. Doubles action is slated to start at 1 p.m. at Charles D. Owen High School in Black Mountain, N.C.

***Due to the University of Pikeville playing ineligible student-athletes, Montreat College later received a 1-0 forfeit win.