GULF SHORE, Ala. - After being swept in doubles play to open the match, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's tennis team quickly responded with a strong showing in the singles portion of the contest against Belhaven University Tuesday, March 11. The Titans (3-5) secured wins in five of the six singles spots, leading to a 5-2 victory over the Blazers (4-6).
Playing in the top spot, junior Ian Turnbull (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) cruised to the win, as he took both of his sets, 6-0. Fellow junior Ben Vigneri (Casper, Wyo.-Phillips Exeter Academy) notched the victory at No. 2 singles behind set scores of 6-1, 6-0. Sophomore Thad Dillow (Effingham, Ill.-Effingham) won his sets 6-0, 6-1, to lock in the victory at No. 3 individuals. At No. 4 singles, junior Griffin Hammond (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) dropped the first set, 6-2, before responding by taking the second, 6-4, to force a decisive super tiebreaker set. He took that, 10-8, locking in the win for the Green and White.
The highlight of the day for the Titans came in the No. 6 singles slot, as junior Sebastian Rasquin (Park Ridge, Ill.-Maine South) secured his first collegiate win. Rasquin took both of his sets 6-2 en route to the victory, capping off a strong win for IWU.
Illinois Wesleyan will enjoy a day off tomorrow before concluding its spring break trip with a dual against University of Wisconsin-Superior Thursday, March 13. IWU will meet the Yellowjackets (3-8) at 11 a.m. Results will be posted on iwusports.com upon the completion of the contest.
Singles competition
1. Turnbull, Ian (IWU) def. Mark Breedlove (BELHAVEN) 6-0, 6-0
2. Vigneri, Ben (IWU) def. Briley Oakes (BELHAVEN) 6-1, 6-0
3. Dillow, Thad (IWU) def. Bernard Jackson (BELHAVEN) 6-0, 6-1
4. Hammond, Griffin (IWU) def. Paul Stager (BELHAVEN) 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
5. Stephen Spencer (BELHAVEN) def. Tomecki, Chase (IWU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Rasquin, Sebastian (IWU) def. Jack Madden (BELHAVEN) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Hayden Lassiter/Harshith Anugonda (BELHAVEN) def. Turnbull, Ian/Vigneri, Ben (IWU) 6-2
2. Maximo Estrada/Josiah Leggett (BELHAVEN) def. Dillow, Thad/Hammond, Griffin (IWU) 7-5
3. Jesus Diaz/Briley Oakes (BELHAVEN) def. Tomecki, Chase/Rasquin, Sebastian (IWU) 6-3
