ADA, Okla. – Southeastern completed its sweep of Great American Conference opposition with a 5-4 victory over rival East Central on Thursday evening in Ada, Okla.
The win earns the men their first GAC regular season tennis title and moves them to 12-6 overall on the year and 3-0 in league play.
The team has rallied from a mid-season lull to win five of its last seven matches.
However, SE found itself behind after doubles play, with the duo of
Billy Haugen and
Nathan Nelmes picking up the lone victory in doubles play with an 8-5 win at number three.
In singles play, Nelmes quickly evened the match at 2-2 with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Max DeJuan at number two.
The Tigers jumped back in front at 3-2 with Julian Caminos downing
Petar Popovic 6-2, 6-2 at number three.
SE again answered though with
Alberto Blesa evening the contest at 3-3 with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win at number one singles over Marc Fillat.
ECU again found an answer with a
Tiago Ferreira falling in three sets to Andrew Cabato, 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 to give the Tigers the 4-3 advantage.
Martin Bedcarratz would even the score at 4-4 with a come-from-behind victory at number five over Stefan Schodlbauer, dropping the first set 0-6, before rallying with a 7-6 (4) win in the second set and a 6-2 win in the third.
Renato Joao would provide the clinching match, picking up a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Nate Kipping at number six to earn the Storm a 5-4 win.
