EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The University of Southern Indiana men's tennis team split a pair of GLVC matches Friday, losing to eighth-ranked Drury University, 5-4, and defeating Saint Joseph's College, 6-2. The Screaming Eagles take their record to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in the GLVC.

In the morning match, Drury raised its record to 7-4 overall and 3-0 in the GLVC by coming from behind to post a win at the USI Tennis Courts. 

The Eagles led after the double matches, winning at number one and winning by default at number three. Freshman Diego Gimenez (Venezuela) and sophomore Joseph Boesing (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) recorded USI's first win of the day with a 9-8, tie-breaker win in the first doubles match. 

The USI advantage grew to 4-1 after Drury defaulted at number five and six singles. The Panthers rebounded to take the remaining singles matches in straight sets for the 5-4 final.

The Eagles rebounded in the afternoon to defeat Saint Joseph's College, 6-2, at Advantage Courts & Fitness. Gimenez and senior Nathan Sexton (Santee, California) led the way to a 3-0 lead with an 8-2 win at number one doubles. USI completed the doubles sweep with a win at number two by freshman Ben Roeser (Waynesville, Ohio) and freshman Nathan Lattimer (Muncie, Indiana), 8-6, and at number three by Boesing and senior Bryan Sulcer (Olney, Illinois), 8-1.

Gimenez and Sexton wrapped up the victory with straight sets wins at number one and number two singles. Sophomore Nicolas Gathercole (England) finished out the scoring for USI with a pro set win at number five singles after SJC won at number three and four for the 6-2 final.

USI completes this weekend's action by hosting Lewis University at 1 p.m. Saturday. The match with West Alabama University, scheduled for Sunday, has been cancelled.



Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information