Men’s Tennis Completes Another Perfect Season in the MIAC

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The No. 16 Gustavus men’s tennis team completed a perfect 9-0 season in the MIAC on Sunday, shutting out St. Thomas 9-0 at the Baseline Tennis Center to claim the conference championship outright. The Gusties, now 17-7 overall, enter the MIAC playoffs as the No. 1 seed and will host the winner of Macalester and Bethel at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We put together a solid performance today,” Head Coach Tommy Valentini said. “Joe Punnoose stepped in and partnered Nick Aney today at three doubles and his energy gave us a big lift. Once we got out to the 3-0 lead we stayed in the moment nicely. Lawrence Hiquiana and Xavier Sanga competed very well in the singles stepping in and stepping up for us today. It was a strong team effort. We’re grateful to finish off the conference season with a good effort today, and we look forward to continuing to improve heading into the exciting post season ahead.”

Singles

1. Chase Johnson (GACM) def. Nick Vossen (USTMEN) 6-0, 6-0
2. Michael O’Neil (GACM) def. Sterling Sibley (USTMEN) 6-3, 6-1
3. Nick Aney (GACM) def. Jordan Schneck (USTMEN) 7-5, 6-1
4. Indraneel Raut (GACM) def. Eshan Varma (USTMEN) 6-2, 7-5
5. Xavier Sanga (GACM) def. Erich Nuss (USTMEN) 6-2, 7-6
6. Lawrence Hiquiana (GACM) def. Zach LeVene (USTMEN) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles

1. Patrick Whaling/Chase Johnson (GACM) def. Nick Vossen/Erich Nuss (USTMEN) 8-2
2. Michael O’Neil/Xavier Sanga (GACM) def. Zach LeVene/Jordan Schneck (USTMEN) 8-3
3. Nick Aney/Joseph Punnoose (GACM) def. Sterling Sibley/Eshan Varma (USTMEN) 8-1

Gustavus has now won 313 consecutive MIAC regular season matches, a streak dating back to April 11, 1986.