Men's Tennis defeats SIU-Edwardsville, 6-1

March 26, 2008

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill - The Southern Illinois University men's tennis team welcomed SIU-Edwardsville Wednesday, in their first home match of the season, defeating the Cougars 6-1. A home match against Tennessee Tech was originally scheduled for last Sunday, but was cancelled due to time constraint and facility conflicts.

The Salukis (7-6) swept the Cougars (4-6) in doubles, with Lucas Waked and Anton Leonenko defeating Paulo Gonzalez and Robert Young, 8-0, at the top seed. At No. 2 doubles, Mariano Restrepo and Sebastian Rubiano grabbed the win over Jordan Faulkenberg and Carlos Sanchez, 8-1, capturing the doubles point for SIU. Wrapping up doubles at No. 3, Chase Miller and Hugo Vidal teamed up against Cole Garrison and Mike Jolly for an 8-6 victory.

The weather cooperated heading into singles, but thunderstorms moved the matches indoors, where singles were finished. Waked met the Cougar's top player, Gonzalez. The two fought for a win at No. 1 singles, but Waked walked away with the point after a 7-5, 6-2 victory. Vidal met Young at No. 2 singles, resulting in a 7-6, 6-2 win for Vidal. Restrepo defeated Garrison, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 3 singles. Leonenko grabbed a 6-2, 6-0 win over Sanchez. Rubiano swept Jolly 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles. At No. 5 singles, Rubiano took the first set from Jolly, 6-0 and came back for the sweep, winning the second set, 6-0. Miller took on Falkenberg at No. 6 singles, falling 6-1 in the first set. No. 6 singles was not finished with the default point going to SIU-Edwardsville.

The Salukis improve to a 7-6 record, as they get ready for their next match, Saturday at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb. Match time is set for 1 p.m.

Singles
No. 1 - Lucas Waked (SIU) def. Paulo Gonzalez (SIU-E) 7-5, 6-2
No. 2 - Hugo Vidal (SIU) def. Robert Young (SIU-E) 7-6, 6-2
No. 3 - Mariano Restrepo (SIU) def. Cole Garrison (SIU-E) 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 - Anton Leonenko (SIU) def. Carlos Sanchez (SIU-E) 6-2, 6-0
No. 5 - Sebastian Rubiano def. Mike Jolly 6-0, 6-0
No. 6 - Jordan Faulkenberg (SIU-E) def. Chase Miller (SIU) by default

Doubles
No. 1 - Waked/Leonenko (SIU) def. Gonzalez/Young (SIU-E) 8-0
No. 2 - Restrepo/Rubiano (SIU) def. Faulkenberg/Sanchez (SIU-E) 8-1
No. 3 - Vidal/Miller (SIU) def. Garrison/Jolly (SIE-E) 8-6