Afer being eliminated from the singles main draw, Ben Pettinari, Marek Blaskovic and Andy Martin battled back to win consolation championships matches on the second day of competition at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Individual Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
Leading the way for the Redbirds was newcomer Pettinari. After being defeated in the second round of the singles main draw, Pettinari defeated Rishi Garbharran of Southwest Missouri State (6-4, 6-1) in the consolation championship at No. 3 singles.
Like Pettinari, Blaskovic and Martin also battled back to win consolation championship matches. Blaskovic defeated Mike Walz of Bradley (6-3, 6-1) at No. 6 singles and Martin defeated Jamin Klotz of Bradley (6-0, 6-3) at No. 7 singles.
Also playing well for the Redbirds was Ciaran Foley. After losing his first match in the singles main draw, Foley battled back to win two matches before being eliminated in the consolation championship by Felipe Montenegro of Drake (6-4, 6-4) at No. 4 singles.
Coach Greg Kennett was pleased with the way his team battled back in the consolation brackets, especially Pettinari.
We saw good things out of Ben this weekend, said Kennett. Hes starting to get some matches under his belt and really beginning to play better.
The Redbirds will be back in action Friday, February 1 at Western Michigan.
