Lobsters edged by Explorers in final set

The Boston Lobsters jumped on top early, but saw their efforts to knock a second straight team from the undefeated ranks fall short in the final sets as they were nipped by the Kansas City Explorers, 22-17, Monday night in Kansas City.

Jan-Michael Gambill continued his stellar singles play with a 5-4 victory in the opening set over Dusan Vemic. For Gambill, it was his fifth victory in singles in his last six events. He was followed by Marie-Eve Pelletier, who knocked off Kveta Peschke, 5-4. The Lobsters also took the next set, men’s doubles, 5-4, to go into halftime with a 15-12 lead. However, the Western Conference-leading Explorers (7-0) stormed back with a 5-2 win in mixed doubles, knotting the score 17-17 heading into the final event. The Explorers then maintained their perfect record with a 5-0 win in women’s doubles.

The Lobsters (3-5), who beat the previously undefeated New York Sportimes on Sunday, return to Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton Wednesday to play the Springfield Lasers with all-time great Martina Navratilova suiting up for Boston.