The Gustavus men’s tennis team saw its nine-match win streak come to an end as it fell to Division I Drake University 6-1 on Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa, but not before defeating Grinnell 8-1 late Saturday night at the Swanson Tennis Center. The Gusties have an overall record 12-4 and return to action on next Saturday for four matches at the Swanson Tennis Center.
Against Grinnell, Gustavus jumped out to a 3-0 lead as the Gusties won each doubles match. Tandems recording wins included Mike Burdakin and John Kauss at the #1 position, Charlie Paukert and Ben Tomasek at the #2 spot, and Kevin Stickney and Nick Hansen at #3 doubles.
Coach Steve Wilkinson’s team won five of the six singles matches in straight sets as the most competitive match of the night was at #2 singles. Charlie Paukert and Dan LaFountaine split their first two sets as LaFountaine won the first set 6-4 and Paukert claimed the second set 6-1. In a lengthy third set tiebreaker, LaFountaine came out on top 17-15 to earn the point.
On Sunday, Drake and Gustavus were tied in doubles play after the Gusties won at the #3 spot and the Bulldogs won at the #2 position. In the pivotal match to determine which squad claimed the lone doubles point, Drake’s Maor Zirkin and Evgeny Silitski defeated John Kauss and Mike Burdakin, 8-6, at the top spot.
The Bulldogs clinched the match after winning singles matches at #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5. Patrick Clark tallied the only point of the contest for Gustavus at #6 singles when he defeated Konrad Kamizelich 6-3, 6-2.
The Gusties will face UW-Whitewater, the University of Sioux Falls, Saint John’s, and Saint Mary’s on Saturday at the Swanson Tennis Center.
Drake 6, Gustavus 1
Singles
#1- Maor Zirkin (DU) defeated John Kauss (GAC), 6-2, 6-4
#2- Mauricio Ballivian (DU) defeated Charlie Paukert (GAC), 6-2, 6-1
#3- Evgeny Silitski (DU) defeated Mike Burdakin (GAC), 6-2, 6-1
#4- Guilherme Marsiglia (DU) defeated Kevin Stickney (GAC), 6-2, 6-1
#5- Ivan Mendoza (DU) defeated Ben Tomasek (GAC), 6-1, 6-4
#6- Patrick Clark (GAC) defeated Konrad Kamizelich (DU), 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
#1- Maor Zirkin/Evgeny Silitski (DU) defeated John Kauss/Mike Burdakin (GAC), 8-6
#2- Ivan Mendoza/Mauricio Ballivian (DU) defeated Ben Tomasek/Charlie Paukert (GAC), 8-4
#3- Kevin Stickney/Nick Hansen (GAC) defeated Konrad Kamizelich/Guilherme Marsiglia (DU), 8-5