University of Southern Indiana senior Weston Phillips (Henderson, Kentucky) tied the Screaming Eagles' all-time record for singles victories with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Bellarmine University's Phillip Merrill Tuesday afternoon in Louisville, Kentucky. Phillips' 79 career single wins ties Ethan Davis, who played for the Eagles between 1998 and 2002.
Phillips, whose victory was a part of USI's 8-1 match win over Bellarmine, also hold the USI single-season record for wins with 29 as a freshman. He is 16-5 in 2003-04.
The Eagles started off on the right note against Bellarmine by winning two of the three doubles matches. USI won 8-5 at number one doubles – sophomore Ryan Hughes (England) and junior Nim Shetty (India) – and number three doubles – Phillips and junior Evan Luttrell (Logansport, Indiana).
USI swept through singles play winning all six of the matches in straight sets. Freshman Joe Epkey(Greenwood, Indiana), at number one singles, joined Phillips in posting his 16th singles win of the year.
The Eagles, who raised their 10-5 overall and 6-0 in the GLVC, will finish the regular season on the road when they travel to the University of Indianapolis Friday, April 9, and Northern Kentucky University Saturday, April 10, to determine which team will be the number one seed in the upcoming GLVC Tournament. USI joins NKU on top of the GLVC with perfect 6-0 conference records, while Indianapolis enters this week's action with a 5-1 league record.
The GLVC Tournament is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 16-17, at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, and hosted by Quincy University.
Doubles
1. Ryan Hughes/Nim Shetty (USI) def.
Jake Kirts/Randy Pike (BU) 8-5
2. Phillip Merrill/Brandon Campbell (BU) def.
Joe Epkey/Kyle Taylor (USI) 8-4
3. Weston Phillips/Evan Luttrell (USI) def.
Will Logan/John Esterle (BU) 8-5
Singles
1. Epkey (USI) def. Kirts (BU) 7-6 (2), 6-3
2. Phillips (USI) def. Merrill (BU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Shetty (USI) def. Campbell (BU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Hughes (USI) def. Pike (BU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Taylor (USI) def. Logan (BU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Luttrell (USI) def. Esterle (BU) 6-4, 6-0
Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information
