The University of La Verne men’s tennis squad suffered back-to-back home losses to visiting Lake Forest College, 5-4, and Hope International, 6-3, on Wednesday and Thursday at the Claremont Tennis Club.

Against Lake Forest, ULV (4-7) fell behind 2-1 after doubles competition. However, ULV would respond immediately when claiming three-of-four singles matches. At No. 2, Leopard junior Alex Muresan beat Alex Presman by scores of 6-2, 6-4 while junior Adrian Laygo defeated Andrew Fretter 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4. Senior Mario Backes was the other Leo to win a singles contest at No. 1.

With the Leopards leading 4-3, Lake Forest produced a late rally with the remaining two singles. Although he grabbed a 1-0 edge after winning set one 6-3, junior Richard Delgado dropped the next two versus Joe Campagna, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5. Leo senior Evan Mobley came back to knot his contest after falling in set one, but Chris Paterakos won set three and the match. Paterakos collected the victory on 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 scores.

ULV came out firing against Hope International as they quickly gained a 2-1 advantage after doubles play. The team of Arreglado and Muresan gathered a 9-8 (7-5 in the tiebreaker) triumph in doubles No. 1 as Backes and Laygo claimed No. 3 after a solid 8-2 score. It marked the first time that Backes and Laygo teamed this season.

Hope International went on to earn wins in five-of-six singles. ULV’s senior Joe Manfre was the lone Leopard to claim a singles match. Manfre improved to 2-0 on the year after recording a 6-2, 6-2 result over Brett Harvey.

The Leopards continue their five-match homestand hosting Lewis & Clark College on March 25 at 2 p.m.