Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
ITA All-American
Salukis' ITA All-American singles run comes to an end
10/04/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Tennis
By Tony McDaniel
SIUSalukis.com
TULSA, OKLA.--SIU's run at the Saint Francis Health Systems ITA All-American came to an end on Sunday.
Following a perfect 3-0 start on Saturday, the Salukis went just 1-4 on Sunday. Junior Wilder Pimentel had the team's only win in the round of 128.
Pimentel defeated fellow Missouri Valley Conference player Jocelyn Devilliers from Wichita State, 6-4, 6-2. His road to the qualifying round of the ITA All-American came to an end in the round of 64 when Purdue's Ricky Medinilla defeated Pimentel, 7-5, 6-3.
"Wilder played an amazing match today against a very experienced player form Wichita State," coach Dann Nelson said. "He did not get much time ti rest between matches; he was back on the court for the next round after an hour. Wilder played a good first set, but started to cramp. He had a really good tournament and showed us what type of competitor he is."
It was the second time Medinilla faced the Salukis this season. Last week, Medinilla and his partner Dominik Sochurek fell to the duo Jonny Rigby and Michal Kianicka in a doubles match at the Purdue Fall Invitational.
Kianicka lost a tough matchup against Florida State's Terrell Whitehurst, 6-3, 6-2. Rigby won the first set of his match, but lost to Tennessee Tech's Alberto Esteban, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Kianicka and Rigby were both announced as selections for the ITA's doubles pre-qualifier bracket. The Saluki duo will start its journey to the qualifiers on Tuesday.
Sunday's results:
Round of 128:
Pimentel def. Devilliers (Wichita State) 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-5
Esteban (Tennessee Tech) def. Rigby 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
Whitehurst (Florida State) def. Kianicka 6-3, 6-2
Round of 64:
Medinilla (Purdue) def. Pimentel 7-5, 6-3
