EDWARDSVILLE – Visiting DeSales University battled back from being down 2-1 after doubles play to post a 5-4 MAC Freedom victory Saturday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex.
 
Wilkes fell to 7-6 overall and 2-2 in league matches following the home defeat. DeSales improved to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in MAC Freedom matches.
 
The Colonels earned wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles thanks to wins from John Toussaint (Dallas, PA/Dallas Senior) and Nathanial Rathe (Lincoln, NE/Lincoln Southeast) 8-5 and Cole Gibson (Pinecrest, FL/Miami Palmetto Senior) and Rodniel Senson (Houston, TX/William B. Travis) 8-7 (7-5) respectively.
 
Gibson took his No. 1 singles match 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 before a win from Rathe at No. 4 7-5, 6-4 gave Wilkes four points needing one more to clinch the match. The Bulldogs then rallied for wins at No. 2, 3, 5 and 6 on way to the road victory.
 
Wilkes hosts RIT tomorrow (Sunday) at 1:00 p.m. at the Ralston Athletic Complex in a non-conference matchup.