TOLEDO, OH - After five of the last six matchups with Ball State ended in a 4-3 Rocket loss, it was only fitting that the University of Toledo men's tennis team battled to claim a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals at the UT Varsity Tennis Courts on Sunday. The win gave the Rockets (22-8; 3-0 MAC) a perfect 3-0 ledger in conference play and their 11th-straight victory.
"These guys put up with a lot of adversity and discomfort today and overcame a great many challenges," said Head Coach Al Wermer. "But none of those things mattered because we had a job to do, and the guys did it together."
The 4-3 victory not only continued the Rockets' winning streak, but ended an extensive losing streak against the Cardinals and gave Toledo its first win in the conference matchup over Wermer's 16-year coaching tenure.
"I don't know the history before I got here, but I'm quite sure none of these guys were born last time Toledo beat Ball State in men's tennis," Wermer said. "I just want to congratulate our seniors for setting the tone all year. I'm excited for them because they've continued to improve as players and as leaders. This was a great win for them."
The winning blow was struck by senior Nutthavit Likitkumchorn, who prevailed in a three-set, dual-tiebreak melee with BSU's Morrison to win 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-6(2) and clinch the Rocket victory.
Toledo began the match by claiming the doubles point, spearheaded by the teams of Sven Burus/Aleksandar Elezovic at No. 1 (8-3) and Mircea Dimofte/Bryant Dudzik at No. 3 (8-6).
Singles competition would be the deciding factor, as the Rockets and Cardinals each earned three decisions to give the edge to Toledo. Burus picked up a 6-0, 1-6, 6-3 win in the third slot, Leo Sarria won 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 at No. 5 and Likitkumchorn sealed the match in the No. 2 slot.
With only two matches remaining in the regular season, the Rockets will next host Northern Illinois on Saturday, April 16. Toledo will also host Senior Day on Saturday, recognizing the four Rocket seniors: Elezovic, Burus, Likitkumchorn and Gursher Harika.
Results
Toledo 4, Ball State 3
Doubles
1. Burus/Elezovic (TOL) def. Albertin/Morrison (BSU), 8-3
2. Z.Smith/Carpenter (BSU) def. Likitkumchorn/Sarria (TOL), 8-4
3. Dimofte/Dudzik (TOL) def. Sansone/Bussert (BSU), 8-6
Singles
1. Albertin (BSU) def. Elezovic (TOL), 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
**2. Likitkumchorn (TOL) def. Morrison (BSU), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2)**
3. Burus (TOL) def. Brym (BSU), 6-0, 1-6, 6-3
4. Z. Smith (BSU) def. Harika (TOL), 6-4, 6-2
5. Sarria (TOL) def. Sansone (BSU), 6-3, 1-6, 6-4
6. Monroy (BSU) def. Dudzik (TOL), 7-6, ret.
**clinched match**
