EVANSVILLE Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Tennis opened Great Lakes Valley Conference play this weekend. The Screaming Eagles fell to Maryville University, 4-2, on Friday and to Lindenwood University, 5-2, on Saturday. USI falls to 8-6 (0-2 GLVC) while Maryville improves to 7-4 (1-0 GLVC) and Lindenwood improves to 4-3 (2-1 GLVC) on the year.
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USI vs Maryville
DOUBLES: USI was dominate in the doubles match, taking the first two matches to claim the point while the number one doubles match went unfinished. The number three doubles pairing of graduate Spencer Blandford (Louisville, Kentucky) and freshman Quinten Gillespie (Whiteland, Indiana) took care of their opponent in swift fashion, 6-1. The number two pairing of juniors Preston Cameron (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) and Yahor Bahdanovich (Belarus) finished off the doubles matches to secure the point for the Eagles, 6-3.
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SINGLES: It was a different story for USI in the singles matches. Maryville took the number one singles to start. The Eagles were able to bounce right back in the number two singles as junior Lucas Sakamaki (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) fought through a tough first set and finished off his opponent, 7-6 (6-2) 6-1. The Saints came right back, taking the number three singles in straight sets and the number four singles in a win by default. Maryville finished off the match with a win in the number six singles to secure the match victory in the third set. The number five singles match went unfinished.
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USI vs Lindenwood:
DOUBLES: USI started off strong on Saturday, as the number three doubles pairing of senior Parker Collignon (Owensboro, Kentucky) and freshman Quinten Gillespie (Whiteland, Indiana) swiftly took care of their opponent, 6-0. Lindenwood would storm right back taking the number two and number one doubles matches to claim the point.
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SINGLES:Â The Lions continued to dominate in the singles matches. Taking the number one, two, four, and six singles to claim the overall match victory. The Eagles came back off of a strong day from the number three singles Collignon and the number five singles Gillespie. Collignon came from behind to win his match, 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-5. Gillespie was able to halt a Lindenwood comeback to take the final match of the day, 6-4 4-6 1-0 (10-5)
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UP NEXT FOR USI:
The Eagles return home on April 10 as they begin a four match homestand as USI plays host to Ashland University at Wesselman Park at 10:30 a.m.
