Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

RICHMOND, Ky. - The Salukis men's tennis team improves to a 2-2 record with a 4-3 win over Eastern Kentucky University. They defeated the Colonels Saturday at the Greg Adams Tennis Center in Richmond, Ky.

"The guys really stepped up today," said head coach Dann Nelson. "We are beginning to find out how hard our new guys will work for the team goal."

In doubles, Lucas Waked and Anton Leonenko teamed up at the top seed, defeating Lars Gratzki and Johannes John, 8-5. Mariano Restrepo and Hugo Vidal competed at No. 2 doubles, unable to hold off Alex Das Izqueirdo and Fred Goncalves who won the match, 8-6. At No. 3 doubles, Chase Miller and Sebastian Rubiano played a hard match against Vadzim Ivanis and Mel Segota, falling 9-8. Unable to capture the doubles point, the Salukis fought back in singles to win the match.

"We responded well after losing the doubles point and knew we could get that point back quick in singles," Nelson said. "Hugo played exceptionally well as did Mariano winning their matches in straight sets."

At No. 1 singles, Waked fell to Das Izqueirdo 6-1, 6-2. Vidal grabbed a huge win over Gratzki at No. singles, 6-3, 6-0. Restrepo grabbed the win in No. 3 singles against John, 6-3, 7-5. Leonenko competed at No. 4 singles, defeating Segota, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. At No. 5 singles, Rubiano captured the win over Ivanis, 6-1, 7-6. Miller battled Goncalves at No. 6 singles, falling 6-2, 6-2.

"Sebastian showed a lot of poise and played aggressively in the tiebreaker," said Nelson. "It paid off huge winning the tiebreaker 7-0 and clinching the final point we needed for the win.

"This match was one of those matches you look forward to all year. We have lost two straight to EKU until today. I am extremely pleased with the poise our guys showed today."

Southern Illinois 4, Eastern Kentucky 3

Singles
No. 1 - Alex Das Izquierdo def. Lucas Waked 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 - Hugo Vidal def. Lars Gratzki 6-3, 6-0
No. 3 - Mariano Restrepo def. Johannes John 6-3, 7-5
No. 4 - Anton Leonenko def. Mel Segota 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
No. 5 - Sebastian Rubiano def. Vadzim Ivanis 6-1, 7-6
No. 6 - Fred Goncalves def. Chase Miller 6-2, 6-2

Doubles
No. 1 - Leonenko/Waked def. Gratzki/John 8-5
No. 2 - Das Izquierdo/Goncalves def. Restrepo/Vidal 8-6
No. 3 - Ivanis/Segota def. Miller/Rubiano 9-8

Southern Illinois 2-2
Eastern Kentucky 4-5