Men’s tennis team picks up four weekend wins

The men’s tennis team improved to 6-4 this season after defeating Xavier 6-1, Western Michigan 6-1, UCF 5-2 and Northern Illinois 5-2 this weekend.

The Hoosiers started the weekend with back to back victories Friday against Xavier and Western Michigan.

A common theme was the success of IU’s underclassmen in both singles and doubles play.

Before winning their respective singles matches in straight sets against Xavier, Daniel Bednarczyk and Samuel Monette teamed up to record the only doubles victory for the Hoosiers.

Losing the doubles point can result in a momentum surge for the opponent.

Sophomore Elliot Yee did everything he could to prevent this by jumping out to an early 4-0 lead in the first set.

“I just tried to give as much energy to the team as I could,” Yee said. “We were trying to bounce back from the doubles loss, get ready mentally and try to set the tone for the rest of the day. Some of that is being loud, but showing a lot of emotion in general is a huge key.”

Yee went on to win his match in straight sets, losing just two games in the process. Freshman Matthew McCoy also won in straight sets, clinching the match for IU.

“He came through in a real tough one today, clinching for us when we were down on the other two courts so it was a big moment,” IU Coach Randy Bloemendaal said of McCoy. “It doesn’t look as big at the end, but when it was going on it was a huge moment, and I think that’s going to help build his confidence. And it’s going to help the team rally around him.”

Although senior Dimitrije Tasic and junior Sven Lalic both trailed during their singles matches, they did come back to record victories. Bloemendaal said he was still not satisfied with their performances.

He said he knows his upperclassmen can play better — particularly Tasic, the only senior on the team.

“As a senior, I kind of expected him to come out and give a little more energy,” Bloemendaal said. “He did a good job overall. I think he finished well today, but his start was pretty average and with a young team that can cost you. And that is what has cost us so far this season.”

Bloemendaal also said that Lalic was one of a few Hoosiers who felt sick coming into the doubleheader Friday.

Youth continued to carry the load for the Hoosiers during the second half of the doubleheader against Western Michigan.

After IU swept all three doubles matches, sophomores Monette, Bednarczyk and Yee once again won in straight sets. This time joined by a different freshman, Stefan Lugonjic won at No. 6 singles for the Hoosiers.

While Tasic once again won in straight sets against Western Michigan, fellow upperclassmen Lalic lost in straight sets at the No. 1 singles position.

“We got to do a little better job with our upperclassmen, they have to field pressure a little bit differently,” Bloemendaal said. “But they’ve been through it, and I think that they need to understand that it’s all there. And if they can give back strength to this team, we’re going to be a heck of a team.”

The two upperclassmen played pivotal roles Sunday in handing No. 65 UCF their first loss of the year.

The upperclassmen teamed up to clinch the doubles point for the Hoosiers before both winning in straight sets against their respective opponents in singles play.

Lalic’s victory at the top position in the lineup clinched the victory for the Hoosiers against the Knights. Tasic would then do the same Sunday afternoon against Western Michigan, sealing the team’s undefeated weekend.

Follow reporter Michael Hughes on Twitter @MichaelHughes94.