Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois
Salukis bounce back with 5-2 win over Eastern Illinois
03/17/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Tennis
By Katja Sonkeng
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The SIU men's tennis team got off to a great start in their two-match home stand Tuesday afternoon on the SIU University Courts when the Salukis topped Eastern Illinois University, 5-2. After two previous postponements due to inclement weather, the Panthers proved to be a tough, yet manageable, opponent. In the third meeting between the two schools, the Salukis kept the upper hand and improved to 4-9 overall in the spring campaign.
With a perfect sweep in doubles competition, the Salukis began the match on a high note. Michal Kianicka and his tandem partner Alex Pozo captured the first doubles point with their hard-earned 7-5 victory at No.1 spot. SIU junior/senior tandem Jonny Rigby and Szymon Opieczonek followed their example and knocked out their EIU opponents quickly, 6-3. Freshmen duo Daniel Martinez and Ransom Braaten won by the same score over EIU's top players, Rui Silva and Ryan Henderson to complete the sweep.
The Salukis continued their win streak in singles competition, although SIU No.1 player Jonny Rigby dropped surprisingly his match 3-6, 7-6 (5) at the first flight. Sophomore Michal Kianicka put the Salukis back in front, however, with a hard-fought victory in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, over his EIU opponent, Preston Touliatos, at No. 2 singles. Alex Pozo's efforts, on the other hand, went unrewarded as he lost his match in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 at the No.3 spot. With the overall team win at stake, the rest of the Salukis stepped up and clinched victories in straight sets at the No. 4, 5 and 6 flights.
"I am proud of the guys for fighting through the windy conditions and getting the team win today. We had a big day from our four, five and six players. We were even able to play three exhibition matches - two in singles and one in doubles - and we were able to win those as well," head coach Dann Nelson said. "We hope to build on this win going into the weekend match with Northern Illinois."
Up next, the Salukis will close out their two-match home stand on Saturday when they host Northern Illinois at 10 a.m.
Complete Results
Doubles
W: Michal Kianicka/Alex Pozo (SIU) def. Robert Skolik / Preston Touliatos (EIU) 7-5
W: Jonny Rigby/Szymon Opieczonek (SIU) def. Grant and Trent Reiman (EIU) 6-3
W: Daniel Martinez/Ransom Braaten (SIU) def. Rui Silva / Ryan Henderson (EIU) 6-3
Singles
L: Robert Skolik (EIU) def. Jonny Rigby (SIU) 6-3, 7-6 (5)
W: Michal Kianicka (SIU) def. Preston Touliatos (EIU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
L: Ryan Henderson (EIU) def. Alex Pozo (SIU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
W: Daniel Martinez (SIU) def. David Constantinescu (EIU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
W: Szymon Opieczonek (SIU) def. Rui Silva (EIU) 6-3, 6-4
W Peter Molloy (SIU) def. Grant Reiman (EIU) 6-2, 6-3
W: Aidan Saggers (SIU) def. Trent Reiman (EIU) 6-3, 6-4
W: Max Phipps (SIU) def. Jared Woodson (EIU) 7-5, 6-4
Players Mentioned
