NORMAN, Okla. – The Drake University men's tennis team dropped a 4-2 decision to Vanderbilt in the consolation round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend Sunday afternoon in Norman, Okla.

After winning the doubles point, Vanderbilt (3-1) picked up a win at No. 6 singles before Drake got on the board when Tom Hands (Fulbourn, England) earned a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles. A win at No. 5 singles for Vanderbilt gave the Commodores a 3-1 lead before Drake's Vinny Gillespie (Stirling, Scotland) defeated his opponent, Cameron Klinger, 7-6, 6-4 at No. 1 singles to pull the Bulldogs within a point at 3-2.

However, Vanderbilt soon sealed the victory with VU's Maxwell Freeman defeating Barny Thorold (Loughborough, England) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

Drake (4-2) arrived in the consolation match of the ITA Kickoff Weekend after suffering a 4-0 loss to No. 13 Oklahoma Saturday afternoon on the Sooners' home court.

The Bulldogs return home to host eight-straight matches at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center beginning with a Feb. 10 date against Dartmouth.

Vanderbilt 4, Drake 2
Jan 27, 2019 at Norman, Okla. (Headington Family Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Vinny Gillespie (DU) def. Cameron Klinger (VANDY) 7-6 (7-2), 6-4
2. Maxwell Freeman (VANDY) def. Barny Thorold (DU) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
3. Tom Hands (DU) def. George Harwell (VANDY) 6-3, 6-4
4. #62 Billy Rowe (VANDY) vs. Bayo Philips (DU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (6-8), unfinished
5. Christiaan Worst (VANDY) def. Calum MacGeoch (DU) 7-5, 6-3
6. Marcus Ferreira (VANDY) def. Ben Clark (DU) 7-5, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Maxwell Freeman/Cameron Klinger (VANDY) vs. #27 Vinny Gillespie/Barny Thorold (DU) 6-6 (4-6), unfinished
2. Panu Virtanen/Christiaan Worst (VANDY) def. Bayo Philips/Finley Hall (DU) 7-6 (7-4)
3. Billy Rowe/George Harwell (VANDY) def. Calum MacGeoch/Tom Hands (DU) 7-6 (7-3)

Match Notes
Drake 4-2
Vanderbilt 3-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,3,5,1,2)