TULSA, Oklahoma – The Illinois State men's tennis team notched its first victory of the season, defeating Oral Roberts Saturday afternoon, 5-2.
"I was happy to get our first win of the season," said head coach Mark Klysner. "We played well in doubles which set us up in a good position for singles."
The Redbirds (1-2) opened the day winning the match's doubles point, thanks in part to senior Muddappa Appanervanda and junior Rodrigo Oliveira's strong performance over Oral Robert's (0-1) Amar Saletovic and Lavers, 6-2. Sophomore Urh Krajnc Domiter and freshman Andreas Boers also won their doubles match, beating Alvaro Santamaria and Michael Sosnowski of OU, 6-3.
Junior Rolando Torrellas and sophomore Dylan Steffens played well, picking up singles victories over Jan Pehnec and Sosnowski of OU by scores of 7-6, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-2, respectively. Oliveira and Boers also recorded singles wins on the day, with Oliveria defeating Santamaria, 6-0, 6-4, and Boer's besting Lavers for match point, 7-6, 6-1.
"There were some close first sets," said Klysner. "But credit to our guys for closing out the tight matches. Nice to see our freshman Andreas be the clinching point in singles and doubles."
Illinois State will wrap up its opening weekend against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Results (1-17-15)
Doubles
Appanervanda/Oliveira (ISU) def. Saletovic/Lavers (OU), 6-2
Domiter/Boers (ISU) def. Santamaria/Sosnowski (OU), 6-3
Singles
Saletovic (OU) def. Eisner (ISU) 7-6, 6-4
Capdequi (OU) def. Krajnc (ISU) 7-6, 2-6, 11-9
Torrellas (ISU) def. Pehnec (OU) 7-6, 6-2
Oliveira (ISU) def. Santamaria (OU) 6-0, 6-4
Boers (ISU) def. Laver (OU) 7-6, 6-1
Steffens (ISU) def. Sosnowski (OU) 6-3, 6-2
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