The Gustavus men’s tennis team posted a record of 2-1 on the weekend, but saw its 13-match win streak snapped with a 5-2 loss to Division I Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa on Sunday. The Gusties claimed wins over UW-Whitewater 6-1 and Augustana (SD) 7-0 on Saturday. Coach Steve Wilkinson’s squad is now 14-3 overall and 3-0 in the MIAC.
The Gusties opened the weekend with a 6-1 win over UW-Whitewater in St. Peter on Saturday morning. The team won all three doubles matches and five of the six singles matches. Loren Collins (#1), Adam Morgan (#2), Jesse Brauer (#3), Brett Morse-Karzen (#4), and John Kauss (#5) all posted straight set wins in singles play. Tim Gruenisen suffered the lone loss when he fell to Michael Losch 1-6, 6-3, 0-6 at #6 singles. In doubles action, Andy Bryan and Roy Bryan won at the #1 position, while Tim Gruenisen and Will Colmar won at #2, and Mike Burdakin and Nick Hansen won at #3.
Saturday evening, Gustavus defeated Augustana College of Sioux Falls, South Dakota 7-0. Charlie Paukert (#1), Danny Suchy (#3), Will Butzlaff (#4), Brian Laumeyer (#5), and Chad Olson (#6) all won their singles matches in straight sets. Claudio Bravo claimed a thrilling victory at #2 singles when he defeated Andy Krueger 6-3, 3-6, 17-15 in the superbreaker. In doubles play, Griffin Foley and Aaron Zenner won at the #1 position, while Alex Horton and Dave Koppel won at #2, and Theo Roth and Ashok Jethwa won at #3.
Against Drake on Sunday, the Gusties opened the match in impressive fashion as they won the doubles point by winning at the #1 and #3 positions. Adam Morgan and Brett Morse-Karzen defeated Sergi Vila and Maor Zirkin 8-6 at the #1 position, and Jesse Brauer and Mike Burdakin defeated Chris Lueth and Ivan Mendoza 9-8 (7-5) for the decisive second win at the #3 position. Andy Bryan and Roy Bryan fell to Dalibor Pavic and Jonathan Tishler 8-2 in the #2 match. Drake took control of the match in singles play winning at the #1, #2, #3, and #4 positions in straight sets. Brett Morse-Karzen lost a heartbreaker to Chris Lueth at the #5 position by the score of 6-4, 4-6, and 10-7 in the superbreaker. John Kauss gave the Gusties their second point with a hard-fought 7-6 (1), 2-6, 11-9 win over Ivan Mendoza at the #6 position.
Through 17 matches this season, Gustavus has compiled a record of 3-2 against Division I opponents, 3-1 against Division II opponents, and 8-0 against Division III oppenents.
The Gusties will play matches against three Division III opponents next Saturday (March 18) including Wartburg in St. Peter at 9:00 am, Saint John’s in Collegeville at 11:00 am, and at Saint Mary’s in Winona at 3:00 pm.