Men’s Tennis Opens Season With 5-4 Win Over UW-Eau Claire, Valentini Picks Up First Win As Collegiate Head Coach Posted on February 15th, 2010 by

Tommy Valentini registered his first victory as head coach of the men's tennis program.

The Gustavus men’s tennis team started its 2010 season on a positive note with a hard-fought 5-4 win over UW-Eau Claire at the Swanson Tennis Center on Saturday evening.  The Gusties got off to a slow start losing two of three doubles matches, however they rallied to win the match by claiming four of the six doubles matches and slipped past the Blugolds by a point.

Sophomore transfer Amrik Donkena and freshman Tyler Johnson picked up three key points for Gustavus as they teamed to win the #1 doubles point and then both won their singles matches.  Donkena and Johnson defeated Phil Loprinzi and Chris Kuna 8-3 at #1 doubles.  Donkena then defeated Loprinzi 6-3, 6-3 at #1 singles and Johnson defeated Kevin Fawcett 6-3, 6-0 at #4 singles.

Other singles winners for Gustavus included seniors Krishan Jethwa at #5 singles and Kyle Olson at #6 singles. Jethwa defeated Eric Wollum 6-3, 6-3 and Olson defeated Ben Robertson 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.

The win was the first of the season for the Gusties and the first dual match win for first-year head coach Tommy Valentini.

Gustavus will host the eight-team Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division III Indoor Championship  this weekend at the Swanson Tennis Center.  The Gusties, who are the #5 seed in the tournament, open play on Friday at 5 pm against #4 seed Kenyon College.

Box Score

 


One Comment

  1. Maureen Zishka says:

    Congrats on your first win Coach!!