SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The IUPUI men's tennis team kicked off their 2024 spring season when they fell to Notre Dame on Saturday. The Jags and Irish played back-to-back matches with Notre Dame taking both.
In the first match of the day, Notre Dame took the early advantage with the doubles point.
Emil Jankowski and
Kamil Kozerski represented the Jags in the number one doubles spot and recorded two points but it wasn't enough as the Irish took the set, 6-2.
Noah Viste and
Steven Paz fell in the number two spot, 6-0.
Blessing Benibo and
Will Thurin were down 4-2 in the number three spot before the Irish took the doubles point.
Down 1-0, the Jags moved to singles play. Kozerski fell at number one singles in two sets, 6-1, 6-2 while his doubles partner fell in the number two singles spot in two sets, 6-2, 6-1. Paz played at number three singles where he fell, 6-1, 6-2. Viste feel at number four singles, 6-2, 6-2, while
Nate Day fell in the number five spot, 6-2, 6-0.
Luka Rodic rounded out the lineup in the number six spot where he fell, 6-3, 6-2.
After falling in the first match of the day the Jags adjusted their lineup and faced the Irish again. Despite leading in three singles matches, the Jags lost the doubles point and the first three singles matches, sealing the win for Notre Dame.
Thurin and Kozerski fell 6-0 in the number one doubles match while Benibo and Day lost at number two doubles, 6-0. Paz and Rodic were down 3-2 before the Irish sealed the doubles point.
Kozerski played at one singles again where he fell, 6-2, 6-0. Paz moved up to the number two singles spot but fell, 6-4, 6-0. Day fell in the number three spot, 6-2, 6-2. With Notre Dame up 4-0, the match ended without finishing the last three singles matches.
Rodic won his first set, 6-4 and was down 4-1 in the second set when the match went final.
Eli Mercer say his first action of the day at number five singles. Mercer also won his first set at 7-5 then was behind 4-0 in the second set. Thurin won his first set in the number six singles spot, 6-4 and was leading the second set 4-2.
The Jags will return to Indy to host the Marian Knights on Saturday, January 20 at 2:30 PM.
