The Ironton Fighting Tigers went down, but it wasn’t easy.

The Ironton tennis team played well but dropped a pair of tennis matches this week.

On Monday, Ironton lost its first Southeastern Ohio Athletic League match to the Gallipolis Blue Devils 4-1.

Ironton’s Andrew Hicks lost to Josh Jackson 0-6, 2-6 and Aaron Pettiford fell to Gallipolis’ Jordan Cornwell 0-6, 0-6.

The Fighting Tigers only win in the match was by Brennan Banks in singles play as he beat Kelle Craft 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).

In doubles play, Ironton’s Devin Karnes and Ryan Sias dropped a 1-6, 0-6 decision to Cody Billings and Molly Blake and Schylar Fields and Jordan Sheridan lost to the Blue Devils’ Bryce Amor and Zeke Mahle 4-6, 1-6.

In an exhibition match, Ironton’s Kylie Thomas won 7-5.

Ironton dropped a tough 4-1 decision to the Lucasville Valley Indians Wednesday.

Hick lost a tough 5-7, 0-6 decision to Alex Davis and Banks dropped an even tougher match to Trevor High, 5-7, 6-7 (4-7).

Pelliford gave Ironton its only with as he beat Nick Johnson in three sets, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

In doubles player, Ironton’s Karnes and Sias lost to Adam Buckiler and Atom Davis 1-6, 2-6 while Fields and Sheridan fell to Tye Johnson and Cody Lewis by identical scores 2-6, 2-6.

In exhibition doubles match, Nathan Hale lost 6-1

Ironton hosts Marietta and Portsmouth beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday in SEOAL matches.