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.
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One response to “Men’s Tennis Opens Season With 5-4 Win Over UW-Eau Claire, Valentini Picks Up First Win As Collegiate Head Coach”
Congrats on your first win Coach!!