WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University men's tennis team was able to steal a point from the nation's seventh-ranked squad on Wednesday afternoon, but eventually fell 6-1 to the Seahawks of Keiser University. A victory in singles action allowed the Gyrenes to take a point from the Seahawks for the second time in four all-time trips to West Palm Beach.

All three Keiser doubles teams were victorious, allowing the host Seahawks to earn the doubles point. Riccardo Ferraris and Juan Marrero combined for a 6-3 victory in the number one spot, while Luke Simkiss and Geronimo Barrios clinched the point at the number two spot with a 6-2 triumph. Keiser's number three team earned a 6-1 win, as well.

Carlos Thireau logged a very impressive win at the number three singles position, defeating the nation's No. 42 player in three sets. Thireau grabbed the early advantage with a 6-4 win in the first set, then saw the match even with a 6-4 decision in the second set. With the team match decided, a 10-6 tiebreak went the way of Thireau in the third set to clinch the noteworthy victory.

Two other ranked players - No. 13 Julian Turosienski and No. 37 Gerard Rodriguez won their matches for Keiser, who did not drop a set other than the two won by Thireau. A win at the number one spot from Simkiss clinched the match for the Seahawks.

A key test in Sun Conference play awaits the Gyrenes on Saturday, as the Southeastern University Fire come to town. The Fire are currently receiving votes in the national poll, and give the Gyrenes an opportunity to return to .500 in league play. Opening serve between AMU and Southeastern is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.