INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis men's tennis team captured a thrilling 4-3 victory over in-state foe Ball State on Friday afternoon (Feb. 13) at the West Indy Racquet Club, marking just the second win in program history against the Cardinals.
 
The Jaguars improve to 3-6 on the season with the victory and even more notably, snap a long drought against Ball State. In 24 all-time meetings, IU Indy is now 2-22 against the Cardinals, earning its first win in the series since 2003.

"Today, our team stepped up big against a tough Ball State team," said head coach Bren Vasalakis. "They fought off match points in doubles and singles and got it done with a very gutsy performance. I am proud of the team and we are looking to keep building on today's momentum going into the rest of season."
 
IU Indy set the tone early by securing the doubles point. At No. 1, Konner Gunwall and Brandon Pham battled to a 7-6 win over Jacks Lancaster and Andrei Caragea. Eli Mercer and Pumiphat Sukkho clinched the point at No. 3 doubles with a 6-4 victory against Jeremy Milette and Broc Fletcher, giving the Jaguars a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.
 
The match proved to be a back-and-forth affair in singles action. Owen Nguyen delivered a gritty performance at No. 2 singles, rallying after dropping the first set in a tiebreak to defeat Caragea, 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, and clinch the match.
 
Eli Mercer added another point at No. 3 with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win over Drew Hayward. Cameron Kryscio earned the No. 4 singles point. After taking the opening set 6-2, Kryscio responded from a second-set setback to outlast Jeremy Milette, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
 
Ball State picked up singles wins at Nos. 1, 5 and 6, but the Jaguars' resilience in the three-set matches proved to be the difference in the tightly contested matchup
 
IU Indy will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 21, when the Jaguars host UIC.