INDIANAPOLIS – Arguably the most important single meet of the entire season, the IUPUI men's tennis team (6-19, 1-3) kept their season alive by qualifying for the Summit League Tournament with a win over South Dakota State (3-18, 0-4) Friday (April 21), dropping the Jackrabbits 6-1 for the first conference victory of the year. IUPUI will play one more non-conference meet before hosting the Summit League Tournament next weekend (April 28-29).
On a day when Head Coach
Brandon Currie and crew needed it the most, the Jags came through several big performances, getting key contributions from the top to the bottom of the order. The Jags started the day with a stellar showing in doubles play, as
David Beasley and
Bradley Luetschwager improved to 4-4 as a team by knocking off Emerson Styles and Chuck Tang at the No. 2, 6-1. Seniors
Marcus Nalley and
Jose Calero, who took part in their final regular season home meet of their respective careers, took a 6-3 set at the No. 3, improving to 2-1 as a duo. All three matches have been played against Summit League opponents.
Jac Newis and
Kyle Whittaker did a good job fighting off a deficit and keeping the Jackrabbits without a point, as the team won two games to keep their set alive and eventually go unfinished after the Jags had already won the other two sets. The pair were trailing 2-5, before rallying to make it 4-5 before the action halted.
After dispersing to their respective courts, the Jags commanded the afternoon all throughout the West Indy Racquet Club, as IUPUI picked up five points in singles. Beasley had perhaps the smoothest showing, cruising to victory in a 6-3, 6-2 win at the No. 3 over Marco Paulo Castro. Luetschwager also made his match look easy, downing familiar foe Tang 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 5. Luetschwager faced Tang in doubles earlier. Calero put together all the pieces for a very strong 6-3, 7-6 (3) win at the No. 2, fighting through several lengthy rallies to get the win. Calero showed good agility off the serve and was able to regularly force his opponent into tough shots with smart, timely placement.
Newis and Nalley both had to go the distance in their individual bouts, as Newis eventually buried Styles at the top of the order, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Nalley followed with his own gritty victory, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
The Jags will carry the No. 4 seed into the tournament, but will enjoy the perks of playing at home as the West Indy Racquet Club will serve as the site of competition.
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