INDIANAPOLIS – Gearing up for an ever-so critical pair of matchups for both teams, the IUPUI men's (6-19, 0-3) and women's (3-17, 2-3) tennis teams will close out their Summit League schedules by hosting South Dakota State Friday in a men's-women's doubleheader beginning at 11:30 a.m. EST. Both teams are looking to secure victories in hopes of locking up their spot in the Summit League Tournament.
Both squads are currently on the outside looking in, as the men's team faces a straight must-win scenario against the Jackrabbits. With five teams in the Summit League in men's tennis before the addition of two new programs next year, the top four teams will advance to the tournament. The Jaguars and Jackrabbits have both gone winless in Summit League play, and the winner will take the fourth and final spot in the tournament set to be hosted in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Currently stuck in an 11-meet losing streak, the men's team has been led by
David Beasley in an otherwise strong individual season. Beasley has gone 14-11 overall in singles play, while tallying a 12-10 mark in dual-meets. He's picked up one of just three singles victories against Summit League teams, and has had good success at the No. 3 singles spot, going 4-2. Beasley is also tops on the team with a 10-10 doubles record, while both
Bradley Luetschwager and
Kyle Whittaker are second with six wins. Luetschwager is the only other Jaguar with a winning record in singles play, going 11-10 with an 8-6 record at the No. 6.
Two Jaguar student-athletes will be competing in their final regular season home matches, as
Jose Calero and
Marcus Nalley will be honored as part of Senior Day festivities set to take place at the West Indy Racquet Club. Nally currently ranks third on the team with eight singles victories in dual-meet action while Calero has played out of either the No. 1 or 2 spots in 19 matches.
The women's place in the tournament is a bit muddled and isn't as clear as a straight must-win situation. Only Denver has locked up their spot in the tournament with a 4-0 record, while five teams are separated by only one victory. Oral Roberts and South Dakota are 3-2, Western Illinois is 2-2 with two Summit meets left and Omaha and IUPUI both have a 2-3 showing. The Jaguars upcoming opponent, the Jackrabbits, are the only team that is completely out of tournament contention with a 0-4 record in league play.
Valeriia Lavrenchuk has been the top producer for IUPUI with eight wins in dual-meet singles action. She's gone 3-2 against league opponents and has six wins at the No. 1.
Sara Sherif, who is the only senior for the women's team, is tied for second with five wins. She's also in a four-way tie with six dual-meet wins in doubles play, equaling the output from Lavrenchuk,
Samantha Mayer, and
Mariella Pessina.
The women's meet is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST, as the Jags will follow with continued action against DePauw beginning at 7 p.m. that same evening.
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