CLARKSVILLE, Ind. - The IU Southeast men's tennis team opened conference play Friday with a thrilling 5-4 win over Brescia.
The match was moved indoors to the Southern Indiana Tennis Center due to weather and it took nearly 6 hours for the Grenadiers to clinch the match over the Bearcats. After taking all three doubles positions and having a commanding lead, Brescia stormed back taking the top three singles spots with two of those matches going three sets. Bryson Mills gave the Grenadiers a 4-3 lead with a convincing win at the No.4 4 spot. Chris Braun and Jacob Rankin both dropped their first sets so the momentum looked to be in Brescia's favor. Both fought back to force a third set and when Chris Braun dropped his match at No. 6 singles all eyes were on freshman Jacob Rankin who was in a back and forth battle in the third set. The freshman was able to handle the pressure and clinch the match for the Grenadiers giving them the 5-4 victory. "This was a great college match between two good teams it could have gone either way. Jacob was able to show great poise as a freshman and get us off to a great start in conference play."
Men's tennis has a quick turn around taking on a Marian Knights team that is receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll tomorrow at 1PM.
Here are the match results:
IUS 5 Brescia 4
Roby/Rankin def. Brad Dunn/Gustavo Carvalho 8-6
James/Braun def. Tom Roidl/Josh Ackerman 8-3
Wallace/Mills def. Turilo Duck/Fernando Garcia 8-3
