IU tops Michigan, Penn State

The (18-4) IU men’s tennis team started the Big Ten Conference tournament this weekend.

IU Coach Randy Bloemendaal said the Hoosiers were looking to do well in the Big Ten tournament in order to receive a bid in the NCAA national tournament.

The competition started Thursday against Penn State.

IU defeated Penn State for the second time this season with a 4-2 score.

The No. 21 ranked doubles team of freshman Sam Monette and senior Isade Juneau led the way in capturing the doubles point for the Hoosiers. Junior Dimitrije Tasic and freshman Chris Essick sealed the deal by winning their match allowing IU to go up 1-0 on Penn State.

Juneau and Essick contributed in the singles competition as well. Juneau defeated Penn State’s Thomas Hanzlik in three sets while Essick defeated Chris Young in a three set battle as well. The other singles victory that gave the Hoosiers their team victory over Penn State was senior Josh MacTaggart’s win over Bryan Welnetz.

Tasic’s match was stopped once the Hoosiers clinched the victory so he did not get a chance to finish.

IU advanced to the quarterfinals where they faced No. 23 Michigan University. The Hoosiers competed against Michigan earlier in the season on March 31 where they lost a nail bitter at home. The Wolverines were one of four teams that succeeded in beating IU at home. Michigan found a way to beat the Hoosiers for a second time on Friday wining with a 4-2 score.

IU started off the competition with the lead as they were able to walk away with the doubles point. Monette and Juneau came through for the Hoosiers for the second consecutive time as did Tasic and Essick. However, unlike the Penn State match, the Hoosiers were only able to win one singles competition.

Juneau defeated Michigan’s Barrett Franks in two sets but none of his teammates were able to score anymore points for the Hoosiers.

Although the Hoosiers lost the Big Ten tournament, three of their players received awards from the Big Ten Conference. MacTaggart was named Big Ten All-Conference alongside his teammate Monette.

MacTaggart has won this award for three consecutive years.

Monette is the third Hoosier in IU history to receive this honor as a freshman. Essick was awarded the Big Ten Sportsmanship award as a freshman as well. Bloemendaal has sent ten Hoosiers to All-Conference teams since he has been at IU.