PLAINFIELD, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Tennis concluded the GLVC/GLIAC Crossover with a pair of wins, as the 34th-ranked Screaming Eagles defeated Northwood 7-2 Saturday night and Rockhurst 5-4 this morning.
In the match against Northwood, USI (12-6) took a 3-0 lead after sweeping doubles. Sophomore James Hardiman (Backwell Bristol, United Kingdom) and freshman Denis Davydov (Chorvatsky Grob, Slovakia) picked up the first point at number one with an 8-3 win. Senior Aaron Barris (Marietta, Georgia) and junior Samuel Kiladejo (London, England) were winners at number two, taking an 8-6 victory. The Eagles completed the doubles sweep when sophomores Andrew Dones (Georgetown, Indiana) and Ilia Karelin (Ekaterinburg, Russia) tallied a back-and-forth, 9-8 (7-4) win at number three.
Hardiman was challenged at number one singles in three sets, but picked up the 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (10-5) victory. Davydov secured the victory for the Eagles with a 6-2, 6-4 win at number two. Barris and Karelin won their matches at numbers four and five, respectively, to give the match its final tally.
This morning against Rockhurst, USI had a 2-1 advantage after doubles play before splitting singles. Barris and Kiladejo won at number two doubles 9-8 (8-6), while Karelin and Dones grabbed the win at number three, 8-5.
At number one singles, Hardiman defeated Jonas Stropus 6-2, 6-2. Also picking up wins were Barris, who won 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), at number four, and Karelin won at number five 6-3, 6-0.
The Eagles return home next week for a regional matchup against Grand Valley State Friday at 10 a.m. at the USI Tennis Courts.
