FSU Claims Narrow Tennis Win Over WSU

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's tennis team claimed a victory in a key clash of closely-ranked teams with a 5-4 triumph over Wayne State on Sunday (April 11) afternoon at the FSU Racquet and Fitness Center.

The Bulldogs, who are ranked 38th nationally in the Campbell's Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II National Rankings, rallied back from a 2-1 deficit following doubles play to pull out the close win against the 39th-ranked Warriors in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action. Sunday's match was played outdoors under sunny skies.

The Warriors entered the match tied for first place with Northwood (5-0) in the GLIAC standings and dropped into a second-place league tie with the Bulldogs by virtue of the setback. Both teams have one regular-season match left on the conference schedule with the Warriors hosting NU on Tuesday (April 13) in Detroit and the Bulldogs slated to visit rival Grand Valley State on Wednesday (April 14).

Wayne State took a 2-1 advantage in doubles play with wins at both the first and second flights.  WSU's Bertrand Moulin and Britton Steele scored a close 9-8 (2) victory against the Bulldog combination of senior Kyle Revall and junior Steven Roberts at the number one position while the tandem of Eric Szydlowski and Thomas Ducret posted an 8-5 win versus FSU sophomores Jack Swan and Justin Hermes.

Ferris' lone doubles decision came at the third spot in the lineup as the pairing of senior Ahmet Demir and freshman Arin Enge recorded an 8-6 win over WSU's Oscar Gamarra and Kevin Turnbull.

However, the Bulldogs responded by winning four of the six singles flights to notch the victory.

FSU received singles' wins from Demir at number two followed by a sweep at the bottom of the lineup from Roberts (#4), Hermes (#5) and Enge (#6).  Demir was a three-set winner against Steele by a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 count while Roberts, Hermes and Enge all won in straight-sets.

WSU registered two singles wins with Moulin beating Revall 6-0, 7-5 at the top flight and Ducret earning a 6-2, 6-3 victory versus Swan at the third position.

Ferris State is presently ranked fourth in the ITA Midwest Regional Rankings with the Warriors right behind at fifth in the regional standings.

FSU's regular-season finale match at Grand Valley State on Wednesday is scheduled for a 3 p.m. (ET) start time.  The GLIAC Tournament will take place this Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18, in Midland, Mich.  Official pairings for the conference event will be announced following the conclusion of regular-season play later this week.