ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. - The Lebanon Valley College men's tennis team dropped its Commonwealth Conference opener Saturday, falling 5-4 in a dramatic match at Elizabethtown College.

With the score tied 4-4, it came down to No. 2 singles between Tom Neckelmann and E-town's Jeff Kirkhoff. Neckelmann fought back from a set down to forced a third, but Kirkhoff prevailed, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

The Dutchmen (5-6, 0-1 CC) had fought back from an 0-3 hole after being swept at doubles. Matt Grodzinski beat Brok Walker, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 1, and LVC also had wins at the bottom three flights.

Brad Sweigart won at No. 4, 6-3, 6-2, over Bryan Metz, Jon Gingrich defeated Brandon Stolar, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 5 and Matt Hotchkiss won No. 6 over Jim Dombach, 6-3, 6-1. LVC's only other singles loss was at No. 3, where Andrew Voshell beat Jared Zeigler, 6-2, 7-5.

Lebanon Valley is back in action Monday, heading to Cabrini College for a 4 p.m. match.


Elizabethtown College 5, Lebanon Valley College 4

Singles competition
1. Matt Grodzinski (LVC) def. Brok Walker (ETOWN) 6-2, 6-3
2. Jeff Kirkhoff (ETOWN) def. Tom Neckelmann (LVC) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
3. Andrew Voshell (ETOWN) def. Jared Zeigler (LVC) 6-2, 7-5
4. Brad Sweigart (LVC) def. Bryan Metz (ETOWN) 6-3, 6-2
5. Jon Gingrich (LVC) def. Brandon Stolar (ETOWN) 6-1, 6-2
6. Matt Hotchkiss (LVC) def. Jim Dombach (ETOWN) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Jeff Kirkhoff/Andrew Voshell (ETOWN) def. Matt Grodzinski/Tom Neckelmann (LVC) 8-6
2. Brok Walker/Bryan Metz (ETOWN) def. Jared Zeigler/Jon Gingrich (LVC) 8-5
3. Jim Dombach/Mike Steiner (ETOWN) def. Brad Sweigart/Matt Hotchkiss (LVC) 8-4