#28 Southern Indiana (19-8): 2
–Box Score
The No. 28 University of Southern Indiana men’s tennis team saw its NCAA II Tournament run come to a close Sunday as No. 10 Drury University defeated the Screaming Eagles, 5-2, to win the NCAA II Midwest Region #1 Tournament and advance to the round of 16.
After falling behind, 2-0, with losses at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, the Eagles’ cut their deficit in half as senior Santiago Lopez and sophomore Jack Joyce earned an 8-6 triumph at No. 1 doubles.
Drury (23-2), however, answered with straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to increase its lead to 4-1. Joyce countered with a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles, but the Panthers sealed the victory with a straight-set decision at No. 2 singles.
“I’m very proud of my guys today, especially Jack Joyce,” USI Head Coach Chris Crawford said. “Jack beat Andy Blair, who is ranked No. 4 in the region and No. 36 in the nation. I’m proud of Santiago, I thought he played his heart out today; and Joel Stern also was winning at No. 4 singles when the match ended.
“Overall, it was a good season and we will be back,” Crawford continued.
USI, which concludes the season with a 19-8 record, reached the NCAA II Tournament for the fifth straight season and the 11th time in program history this season. The Eagles advanced to the NCAA II Championship Tournament for the first time in program history a year ago.
