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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

sports tennis

IU men's tennis sweeps doubleheader Saturday

The IU men’s tennis team traveled to the Pacific Northwest this weekend.

The Hoosiers split matches Wednesday in Louisville, Ky., beating Toledo but falling to No. 38 Louisville.

In Seattle, they hoped to capture two wins against nonconference opponents.

“It was a long flight out, after traveling a lot during the week,” IU Coach Jeremy Wurtzman said. “It was challenging, but I think we handled it great.”

No. 36 IU defeated Saint Mary’s 4-0 Saturday morning at the Nordstrom
Tennis Center in Seattle.

IU cruised to win the doubles point, which had been a point of emphasis in practice, and then
continued its momentum to defeat the Gaels.

“We did a great job in the doubles,” Wurtzman said. “We really implemented what we had been working on.”

IU (8-3) had some standout performers against Saint Mary’s in singles competition. IU sophomore Daniel Bednarczyk defeated Samuel Bloore 6-2, 6-2. IU freshman
Raheel Manji defeated Thomas Hunt 6-2, 6-1.

IU senior Sven Lalic defeated James Markiewicz 6-3, 6-1. Saint Mary’s (1-8) continues to struggle this year, with its only win coming against Sonoma State. The Hoosiers’ celebration was short-lived as they turned their attention to another match Saturday against Washington.

“The singles, we went out there and took care of business,” Wurtzman said. “We knew later that day we were playing Washington and wanted to get off the court as quickly as possible with respect to Saint Mary’s being a good team.”

IU then defeated No. 48 Washington 4-3 Saturday in a comeback victory.

“That was a great college tennis match,” Wurtzman said. “We definitely did a lot of great things, the doubles was awesome.”

The Hoosiers got off to a strong start against Washington by winning the doubles point.

However, Washington would respond by taking a 3-1 lead.

“In singles we need to learn in the future.” Wurtzman said. “We have to get out there and get great starts in the future after winning tough doubles points, especially on the road.”

IU players Sam Monette, Bednarczyk and Lalic responded by winning their respective matches in three sets to defeat the Huskies.

“It was an unbelievable feeling,” Bednarczyk said. “It was such a tough match and my opponent played so well. It was a tough crowd to play against and our team just stuck together.”

The Hoosiers proved they could beat a ranked opponent not only on the road but at their
opponents’ courts.

“Anytime you can learn and still win I think that’s a great thing,” Wurtzman said. “It’s just a little easier to take.”

IU returns home to play Northwestern at 2 p.m. Friday at the IU Tennis Center.

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