Zeke Cross serving at 2024 CCIW Championship

Nicole Babler

Men’s Tennis Comeback Halted by Wartburg

Titans conclude fall portion of season at ITA Regional Sept. 20-22

9/15/2024 4:20:00 PM

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Playing a neutral site contest, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's tennis team was narrowly edged out by Wartburg College, 4-3, Sunday, Sept. 15. With the loss, IWU dips to 0-1, while the Knights open the season 1-0.

After dropping the doubles portion of the match, the Green and White put on a comeback in the singles competition, taking the top three spots. Junior Ian Turnbull (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) took the win in the top spot, winning his sets 6-3, 7-5. Sophomore Thad Dillow (Effingham, Ill.-Effingham) moved up to the No. 2 slot, playing there for the first time in his young career, and he delivered a win for the Titans, taking both sets 6-4. Senior Zeke Cross (Springfield, Ill.-Springfield) notched a victory at No. 3 singles, taking the first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (1), before downing his opponent 6-1 to secure the win. IWU could not claw back to take one more spot, eventually falling 4-3.

The Titans will conclude their fall portion of the 2024-25 season at the prestigious Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional in St. Louis, Mo., Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22.

Singles competition
1. Turnbull, Ian (IWU) def. Cade Davis (WARMT) 6-3, 7-5
2. Dillow, Thad (IWU) def. Jeff Miller (WARMT) 6-4, 6-4
3. Cross, Zeke (IWU) def. Elijah Swanstrom (WARMT) 7-6 (7-1), 6-1
4. Kyle Sehlin (WARMT) def. Hammond, Griffin (IWU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Robert Matera (WARMT) def. Tomecki, Chase (IWU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Joseph Haag (WARMT) def. Rasquin, Sebastian (IWU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Cade Davis/Elijah Swanstrom (WARMT) def. Turnbull, Ian/Hammond, Griffin (IWU) 6-4
2. Jeff Miller/Kyle Sehlin (WARMT) def. Dillow, Thad/Cross, Zeke (IWU) 6-2
3. Robert Matera/Joseph Haag (WARMT) def. Tomecki, Chase/Rasquin, Sebastian (IWU) 6-0

Match Notes
Wartburg College 1-0
Ill. Wesleyan 0-1

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