Release courtesy of Matt Higgins – Assistant Executive Director of the MIAC
The Gustavus men’s tennis team was extremely busy Saturday, hosting – and winning – three matches on its home court, including its 2013 MIAC debut. The Gusties beat UW-Eau Claire, Saint Mary’s and MSOE, only losing a single point across the three matches, with senior Tyler Johnson (West Bend, Wis.) contributing to two of the victories. Johnson won both a singles match and a doubles match Saturday and, for his performance, was named the first MIAC Men’s Tennis Athlete-of-the-Week of the 2013 season.
Johnson – a four-year starter for Gustavus – contributed to his team’s first conference win of the season with a terrific performance at No. 4 singles. Johnson lost only a single game against his SMU opponent, winning in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-1. He also provided a big lift in the top doubles spot in the nonconference win against UW-Eau Claire. Johnson and his teammate provided an 8-2 victory in the Gusties’ 8-1 win. Thus far, Johnson has contributed a 2-1 singles record and a 3-2 doubles record for Gustavus in 2013.
Johnson and the Gusties – who are seeking their 25th MIAC title in a row this season – are off to a 4-3 overall start and a 1-0 start in the conference thus far in 2013. Gustavus has a big weekend coming up as it hosts the ITA National Indoor Championship Feb. 22-24. The Gusties return to dual play March 2 when they host Grinnell in a nonconference match at 9:30 a.m., and they’ll return to MIAC play the same day with a 6 p.m. match against Macalester.