LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Saturday was a very successful day the Bellarmine men's tennis team. The Knights hosted West Liberty out of Division II and IU-Southeast out of NAIA at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex to round out Bellarmine's home-opening weekend.
BU topped West Liberty 6-1 in the morning match and defeated IU-Southeast 7-0 in the matinee match for their first two victories of the season
As the score indicates, West Liberty was more competitive, but ultimately the Knights overwhelmed the Hilltoppers.
Jack Batchelor and
Cole Groetsch squeaked out a 7-6 win at no. 1 doubles, while
Paul Reynolds and
Joseph Naville battled for a 7-5 win in the no. 3 position. The most resounding doubles victory was a 6-3 win for
Donovan Ecarma and
Emil B. Berglund in the no. 2 slot.
BU followed up that doubles point with five singles wins. Groetsch fell a set behind Moritz Erpel but rallied for a no. 1 win (5-7, 6-3, 6-4). Reynolds controlled Daisuke Aota (6-3, 6-0), and the same was true for Batchelor against Anton Schulz (6-2, 6-2). Berglund continued the trend versus
Isfandiyor Makhumudov (6-4, 6-3), and
Donovan Ecarma picked up the last singles win against Nevio Dux (6-1, 6-2).
After a brief break, the Knights returned to action against IU-Southeast and had no issues against their regional foe. In doubles, Reynolds and Ecarma teamed up for a 6-0 win in the no. 1 position. Groetsch and Berglund earned a 6-1 win at no. 2, while Batchelor and Naville wrangled a 6-4 victory.
In singles, Groetsch pounded Caleb Harris (6-0, 6-2) playing no. 1, and Reynolds cruised by
Eli Franks (6-0, 6-4) at the no. 2 position. In the no. 3 spot, Batchelor bested Brent Reynolds (6-1, 6-3), while Berglund defeated Cade Burman (6-2, 6-1). At no. 5 and no. 6, Ecarma topped Connor Mason (6-2, 6-1) and Naville beat Michael Wright (6-2, 0-6, 10-3).
Bellarmine is on the road next, with a trip to Northern Kentucky on Friday Feb. 4. BU returns home shortly after for a match with Centre College on Sunday Feb. 6.
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