Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
University of Illinois-Chicago
Salukis pick up first win of spring season
02/14/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Tennis
By Katja Sonkeng
SIUSalukis.com
CHICAGO, Ill. - The SIU men's tennis team claimed its first victory of the spring season, beating University of Illinois-Chicago, 5-2, at the Hinsdale Racquet Club in Chicago.
In the first two singles matches of the night, SIU junior Jonny Rigby and sophomore Michal Kianicka started off strong and swept their opponents at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively.
At the No. 3 and No. 6 singles spots, freshmen Alex Pozo and Ransom Braaten added two more wins for the Salukis, defeating their opponents in hard-fought matches, 7-6, (4), 6-4, and 5-7, 6-4, 7-5.
In doubles competition, the Salukis earned two points, as Michal Kianicka and Alex Pozo topped their opponents, 6-3, at the No.1 flight. At the No.3 doubles spot, Jonny Rigby and Szymon Opieczonek collected another win by defeating UIC's Isaac Lloveras and Mitch Granger 6-4.
Daniel Martinez and Max Phipps played in their No. 5 doubles spot against UIC's Louis Theodor and Christopher Cole but the match went unfinished, helping the Salukis to an overall winning record of 5-2.
"We made some changes in doubles that helped us win the doubles point, and we played with good intensity and drive," head coach Dann Nelson said. "I'm extremely proud of our freshman, Alex Pozo and Ransom Braaten, who were able to pull out their matches and clinch the team win for us."
The Salukis will face the Crusaders tomorrow at noon at Valparaiso University.
Final Results
Singles
W: Jonny Rigby (SIU) def. Isaac Lloveras (UIC) 6-3, 6-2
W: Michal Kianicka (SIU) def. Christopher Cole (UIC) 6-1, 6-3
W: Alex Pozo (SIU) def. Carl Hedstrom (UIC) 7-6, (4), 6-4
L: Louis Theodor (UIC) def. Szymon Opieczonek (SIU), 7-5, 4-6, 11-9
L: Maurizio Feoli (UIC) def. Daniel Martinez (SIU), 7-5, 6-1
W: Ransom Braaten (SIU) def. Mitch Granger (UIC), 5-7, 6-4, 7-5
Doubles
W: Michal Kianicka/Alex Pozo (SIU) def. Carl Hedstrom/Maurizio Feoli (UIC) 6-3
DNF: Louis Theodor/Christopher Cole (UIC) def. Daniel Martinez/Max Phipps (SIU) 5-3
W: Jonny Rigby/Szymon Opieczonek (SIU) vs. Isaac Lloveras/Mitch Granger (UIC) 6-4
