Murfreesboro, Tenn. – The Illinois State men's tennis team rallied to defeat Binghamton University, 4-3, during Saturday morning's action at the MTSU Shootout, ending ISU's three-match losing skid.
"I can't be more proud of the fight in these guys," said head coach Mark Klysner. "We lost the double's point in the deciding match, and the guys just didn't give up."
The Redbirds' (7-10, 0-1 MVC) started Saturday by dropping a close battle for the double's point. Juniors Jakub Eisner and Rolando Torrellas notched ISU's only victory on the day in doubles, a 6-3 win over Binghamton's Hazarika and Dinia. Senior Jacob Wilson and freshman Rory Samuels paired for a 6-2 doubles loss, while the Bearcats' Lesage and Hureau edged out sophomore Dylan Steffens and freshman Christoffer Greve, 7-6.
Illinois State, however, fought back in singles play and notched four of the six flights to walk away with a victory. Eisner, Wilson and Steffens all secured wins in their respective singles flights, while Greve saved eight match points in the third set of his No. 4 singles flight to beat the Bearcats' Hureau, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6. The victory marked Greve's sixth-straight and put him in the team lead with nine singles wins this season.
"We'll enjoy this [victory] and get ready for tomorrow," said Klysner.
The Redbirds will close out weekend action at the MTSU Shootout Sunday in the consolation championship at 2 p.m. CT.
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