Salukis shut out undefeated Southwest Baptist

Riding high from its spring-break tour, the Saluki men's tennis team won its sixth-straight match, defeating Southwest Baptist, 4-0, on Wednesday. The Bearcats were undefeated and ranked No. 20 in Division II tennis.

Winning the doubles point gave the Dawgs the early momentum they needed. The nationally ranked doubles team of Piotr Baranski and Alex Pozo were put to the test at the No. 1 spot, but picked up the win, 6-4. They defeated the No. 18 doubles team in Division II. Wilder Pimentel and Param Pun dominated SBU at No. 3 doubles, 6-2, while the doubles team of Michal Kianicka and Peter Molloy did not finish their match.

Singles play featured several hotly contested matches. Pimentel was moved to No. 1 and faced Sherif Abohabaga, who is ranked No. 4 in Division II. They battled back and forth with Pimentel winning the first set, 6-2, and Abohabaga taking the second set, 6-3. Ultimately, Pimentel came out on top in the third set, winning the tie-breaker 7-5.

Head coach Jonny Rigby said, "Willy fought like a champion today. I think it was very fitting that he won such a close match to clinch the victory for us."

Kianicka and Pozo both swept their matches. Kianicka won, 6-2, in both sets at the second spot. And Pozo won at the No. 3 position, defeating his opponent 6-3, 6-1.

Martinez, Pun and Molloy did not finish their matches as the Salukis clinched the match.

Next up for Southern is No. 109-ranked Eastern Kentucky. SIU is ranked 82. The Salukis face The Colonel on Saturday in Carbondale.

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Players Mentioned

Piotr Baranski

Michal Kianicka

Peter Molloy

Wilder Pimentel

Alex Pozo

Param Pun

Jonny Rigby

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