Men's Tennis Splits With Ranked Foes

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern men's tennis jumped into MIAA/GAC South Division play over the weekend by splitting a pair of contests against ranked competition, first downing No. 45 Southern Arkansas 4-3 in Magnolia, Ark., before falling to No. 13 Ouachita Baptist 4-3 in Arkadelphia, Ark.
 
The split moves the Savage Storm to 11-7 overall on the year and 1-1 in division play with an 11 a.m. matchup on April 14 versus Harding at the Southeastern tennis Complex as the lone event remaining in the regular season.
 
SE opened the weekend versus SAU by sweeping its way through doubles, with Marin Jurkovic and Juan Gonzalez leading the way at number two with a 6-1 win.
 
Stipan Madzar and Gen Naraya would clinch the point with a 7-5 win at one doubles, with Diego Orduz and Thabo Ncube completing the sweep with a 7-5 win at number three.
 
The Muleriders would event he match at 1-1 with a win at number one, but Jurkovic would give SE the lead after picking up a 6-3, 7-5 win at number five.
 
SAU answered again to knot the match at 2-2 with a win at number two, and this time it was Gonzalez who had the answer, snagging a 7-6, 6-4 win at number three to regain the 3-2 lead.
 
The Muleriders would tie the match one last time with a win at number four, setting the stage for Orduz to provide the match-clinching win, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 at number six.
 
Versus the Tigers on Saturday, Gonzalez and Jurkovic would pick up wins at two doubles, but the Storm would ultimately drop the point.
 
OBU would push the lead to 2-0 with a win at number one singles, and Orduz would put the Storm on the board with a 6-2, 6-2 win at number six.
 
Jurkovic would even the match at 2-2 with a 6-4, 7-5 win at number five.
 
The Tigers would answer with wins at numbers three and two to clinch the match, while Naraya would pick up a win at number four to make the final score 4-3.