ST. PAUL, Minn. – The No. 21-ranked Gustavus men’s tennis team won 7-2 at the University of St. Thomas Saturday afternoon to remain unbeaten during Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play and earn its 51st all-time and 29th-straight title in program history.
The Gusties finish the regular season with a 22-8 overall record while going 9-0 during MIAC play, while handing St. Thomas its first loss in league competition to hold sole possession of first place in the conference.
“The guys competed very well today, St. Thomas is a talented team,” said Head Coach Tommy Valentini, who earned his eighth MIAC title as at the helm. “We had good energy in the doubles and executed our game plans well. In singles we handled the moment and the conditions well and played with good poise. I was very proud of how the guys carried themselves in victory and defeat today.
Gustavus 7, St. Thomas 2 (Box)
Singles
- Luke Elifson (UST) def. Mohanad Alhouni (Jr., Tripoli, Libya) (GAC) 6-4, 6-3
- Zach Ekstein (Jr., Eagan, Minn.) (GAC) def. Scott Wall (UST) 6-3, 6-4
- Patrick Whaling (So., Mankiob Sabot, Va.) (GAC) def. Burke Anderson (UST) 6-4, 6-2
- Marty Beck (UST) def. Tommy Entwistle (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) 6-4, 6-3
- Chase Johnson (So., Golden Valley, Minn.) (GAC) def. Tom Runde (UST) 6-2, 6-1
- Yassine Derbani (Fy., Casablanca, Morocco) (GAC) def. Ben Wait (UST) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles
- Alhouni/Whaling (GAC) def. Beck/Elifson (UST) 8-6
- Entwistle/Johnson (GAC) def. Matt Kavanagh/Wall (UST) 8-6
- David Hagberg (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.)/Derbani (GAC) def. Anderson/Wait (CAR) 8-5
“We’re making good progress, grateful for a conference title and to carry on a great tradition, and we look forward to enjoying the challenges of the post season,” Valentini commented.
Gustavus earns a first round by and will host a MIAC Playoff semifinal matchup against the No. 4/5 winner next Thursday at Swanson Tennis Center at 3:30 p.m.