EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana men's tennis team rallied from a 4-1 deficit to defeat Lewis University, 5-4, in a match that lasted more than eight hours Saturday at Advantage Courts & Fitness.
USI (5-4, 2-2 GLVC) salvaged a victory at number three doubles, then won four straight singles matches to finish the contest and turn back the Flyers' upset bid.
After losing at number one and two doubles and falling at number one and two singles, USI needed sophomore
Ben Hamm (Batesville, Indiana) to rally from a one-set deficit at number four singles to keep its hopes alive. Hamm stepped up to the challenge as he defeated Lewis's Balazs Somogyi in three sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2) to kick-start USI's comeback.
In addition to Hamm's victory, senior
Nathan Sexton (Santee, California) won in straight sets at number three singles to cut the deficit to 4-3 heading into the final two singles' matches.
Freshman
Ben Roeser (Waynesville, Ohio) and senior
Dustin Thomas (Corydon, Indiana) each posted straight-set victories at five and six singles, respectively, to complete the Screaming Eagles' comeback and give USI its second straight win.
Roeser also teamed up with freshman
Nathan Lattimer (Muncie, Indiana) for an 8-6 win at number three doubles.
The Eagles, who have cancelled their match with the University of West Alabama Sunday, continue their six-match homestand Friday when they take on the University of Missouri-St. Louis in a men's and women's GLVC doubleheader at the USI Tennis Courts. The matches are slated to begin at 2 p.m.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
