NORMAL, Ill. — The Bellarmine University men's tennis team notched its first victory against a fellow Division-I squad in program history after defeating Eastern Illinois 5-2 at Illinois State.

The previous two wins for Bellarmine (3-7) had come against DII Southern Indiana and NAIA IU Southeast. The Knights moved up to D1 from DII this season.

"The guys worked hard and overcame a lot of adversity today," Knights Coach Will Davis said. "We are excited to make a first of many histories today."

Bellarmine captured the doubles point against Eastern Illinois (2-2) after sophomore Cole Groetsch and junior Evan Bottorff delivered a 6-1 win over Daniel Hernandez and Charles Courteau at No. 1, and freshmen Emil B. Berglund and Eli Franks secured a 6-4 victory over Thomas Wallace and Christos Kyrillou at No. 3.

Bellarmine wrapped up the team triumph after three singles contests were completed. Berglund topped Brandon Leighton 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2, freshman Paul Reynolds defeated Karan Srivastava 6-4, 6-2 at No. 3 and Groetsch clinched it for the Knights with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Hernandez.

Franks tacked on a straight-sets win over Pau Riera at No. 6.

Bellarmine will play Sunday at Illinois State.

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