Top-Ranked ERAU Men Blank Warriors 5-0 in Conference Tournament Semifinals
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – For the fifth time in as many seasons, the Embry-Riddle men’s tennis team will play for a conference tournament title. The Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, earned the right to play in the championship match of The Sun Conference Tournament with a 5-0 win over fourth-seeded Webber International (11-12) at the Crotty Tennis Complex on Saturday. The Eagles are now 19-2 on the year and will take on the winner of Saturday’s semifinal match between Warner and Northwood at in the title match 1 p.m. on Sunday.
In his first match back since suffering an injury early in the spring, defending ITA National Singles Champion Patrick Besch teamed up with J.R. Leonik for an 8-1 defeat of Jonathan Cohen and Milo Quiroz at No. 2 doubles. Simon Felix and Kevin Chauoat followed with an 8-0 shutout of Patricio Henning and Firmian Filho at No. 3 and the top-ranked duo of Chris Freeman and Deni Zmak dispatched Nickolay Kodinov and Alwin Leysner 8-1 at the top spot to give the Blue and Gold a 3-0 lead heading into singles.
Freshman Anthony Grasso was the first to complete his singles match as he dispatched Leysner 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3 singles. Playing at the top spot in the lineup, third-ranked Zmak bested Kodinov 6-1, 6-0 to clinch the win and secure the Eagles’ spot in the tournament championship.