Redbirds Eliminated From Summit League Championship

OMAHA, Neb. – For the second time in as many weeks, Illinois State and Denver matched up for an important tennis matchup. This time, however, it took place in the semifinals of the 2022 Summit League Men's Tennis Championship on Friday as the No. 1 ranked Pioneers bested the No. 4 seeded Redbirds 4-1 at the Koch Family Tennis Center in Omaha, Neb.

"What an emotional day this was," ISU head coach Mark Klysner said. "We played a great match and despite a 4-1 match score. The remaining matches were in third sets, and it was such a close match overall. Denver played very well, but we gave them a fight I don't think they expected."

The Pioneers took the early doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. A quick 6-3, 6-1 win by ISU's Arvid Hjalte over Denver's Daniel Krulig at No. 5 singles then tied the match at 1-1, but wins at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 2 by the Pioneers gave them the 4-1 victory over the Redbirds. 

"With our season coming to an end in the tournament semifinals, I want to take the opportunity to salute my five seniors who have left such an impression not only on myself but on this program as a whole," Klysner continued. "So, I want celebrate Diego L, Diego H, Zach, Polo and Zane for what they have meant to me and this program over the years. It's been an amazing ride and I wish them all the best."

FINAL SCORE: Denver (4), Illinois State (1)

Singles: 
1. James Davis (DEN) vs. Nam Pham (ISU-M) 6-0, 6-7 (3-7), 0-0, unfinished
2. Nico Herrero Cuesta (DEN) def. Pol Botifoll Rius (ISU-M) 6-3, 6-3
3. Matt Summers (DEN) def. Diego Le Gal Perez (ISU-M) 6-3, 7-5
4. Peter Sallay (DEN) def. Diego Herrera (ISU-M) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Arvid Hjalte (ISU-M) def. Daniel Krulig (DEN) 6-3, 6-1
6. Charlie Miller (DEN) vs. Dominick Cuchran (ISU-M) 4-6, 6-1, 0-0, unfinished

Doubles:
1. Matt Summers/James Davis (DEN) def. Zane Kohrs/Arvid Hjalte (ISU-M) 6-3
2. Charlie Miller/Daniel Krulig (DEN) def. Nam Pham/Diego Le Gal Perez (ISU-M) 6-3
3. Nico Herrero Cuesta/Peter Sallay (DEN) def. Diego Herrera/Dominick Cuchran (ISU-M) 5-4

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