SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s tennis team completed a two-match sweep in its home opener Saturday, defeating Bethel 9-0 before beating Augustana 6-1 to improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the MIAC.
“The guys put together two very solid matches today,” Head Coach Tommy Valentini said. “Against Bethel, we played solid doubles and got off to a great start. In the singles the guys played with good poise and focused well on what was within our control. Against Augustana, we came out with fantastic energy in the doubles. The place was electric and we stuck to our plan and showed great trust in the big moments. The teams of Haugen and Senjem and Haddorff and Elofson were extremely clutch in the big moments, and O’Neil and Hug paced us with great energy on the doubles side of things. Each match was tight but we secured the early lead and had great momentum going into the singles. From there the guys played some very good tennis. Everyone on the team contributed on and off the scoresheet today. It was a great effort to stick together and stay present. We’re grateful for a home weekend where our entire roster competed well. We now look forward to a great week of practice and the fun and exciting challenges of ITA National indoors.”
Gustavus 9, Bethel 0
Singles
- Patrick Whaling (GACM) def. Hunter Fernelius (BU) 6-0, 6-2
- Chase Johnson (GACM) def. Erik Beckers (BU) 6-2, 6-3
- Yassine Derbani (GACM) def. Zach Kantor (BU) 6-1, 6-0
- Michael O’Neil (GACM) def. Nick Knudsen (BU) 6-2, 6-1
- Xavier Sanga (GACM) def. Jason Reilly (BU) 6-2, 6-2
- Joseph Punnoose (GACM) def. Joey Mueller (BU) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles
- Patrick Whaling/Chase Johnson (GACM) def. Hunter Fernelius/Erik Beckers (BU) 8-0
- Yassine Derbani/Nick Aney (GACM) def. Zach Kantor/Nick Knudsen (BU) 8-4
- Michael O’Neil/Indraneel Raut (GACM) def. Joey Mueller/Jason Reilly (BU) 8-6
Gustavus 6, Augustana 1
Singles
- Nick Aney (GACM) def. Joe Sawatzke (AUGGIE) 6-0, 6-0
- Indraneel Raut (GACM) def. Logan Barr (AUGGIE) 7-6, 6-4
- Joel Hug (GACM) def. Eden Mrozek (AUGGIE) 6-2, 6-4
- Lawrence Hiquiana (GACM) def. Austin Vanderweide (AUGGIE) 6-3, 6-2
- North Knewtson (AUGGIE) def. Suyash Gupta (GACM) 6-0, 6-2
- Mouaad Alhouni (GACM) def. Frank Kelly (AUGGIE) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles (one point)
- Michael O’Neil/Joel Hug (GACM) def. Logan Barr/Joe Sawatzke (AUGGIE) 7-6
- Drew Elofson/Luke Haddorff (GACM) def. Frank Kelly/Eden Mrozek (AUGGIE) 6-4
- Alex Senjem/Ezekiel Haugen (GACM) def. North Knewtson/Austin Vanderweide (AUGGIE) 7-5
Gustavus next competes at the ITA Indoor National Championships Feb. 23-24 in Cleveland, Ohio.