SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 16 Gustavus men’s tennis team cruised to a 5-0 MIAC Semifinal win over Bethel on Thursday, advancing to championship match. The Gusties are now 18-7 overall and will host the winner of Carleton and Saint John’s at 1 p.m. Saturday for an opportunity to earn an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships.
Thursday’s match started with a 3-0 sweep in doubles play, followed by convincing wins by Chase Johnson at No. 2 singles and Indraneel Raut at No. 6.
“The guys put together a solid match today,” Head Coach Tommy Valentini said. “We knew we needed to be focused today against Bethel. Hats off to them for their great performance in the quarters. We executed our tactics well in the doubles and did well to get out to the 3-0 lead. From there we stayed in the present nicely on every court. Chase getting the fourth point was a big lift and Neel did very well to close things out. We’re grateful to be in the playoff final on Saturday and look forward to another fun challenge.”
Singles
- Patrick Whaling (GACM) vs. Hunter Fernelius (BU) 6-2, 3-0, unfinished
- Chase Johnson (GACM) def. Zach Kantor (BU) 6-0, 6-1
- Yassine Derbani (GACM) vs. Erik Beckers (BU) 6-3, 0-1, unfinished
- Michael O’Neil (GACM) vs. Jason Reilly (BU) 6-2, 2-1, unfinished
- Nick Aney (GACM) vs. Nick Knudsen (BU) 6-1, 5-0, unfinished
- Indraneel Raut (GACM) def. Joey Mueller (BU) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
- Patrick Whaling/Chase Johnson (GACM) def. Hunter Fernelius/Jason Reilly (BU) 8-4
- Yassine Derbani/Nick Aney (GACM) def. Zach Kantor/Erik Beckers (BU) 8-3
- Xavier Sanga/Michael O’Neil (GACM) def. Joey Mueller/Nick Knudsen (BU) 8-3