ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – In the first round of the 2025 NCAA DII men's tennis championship, the No. 17 University of Indianapolis men's tennis team ousted No. 18 Charleston 4-1.
After falling in an early hole in the doubles point, the Greyhounds rallied back with two straight-set singles wins to gain a mid-match lead, and hung onto two third-set thrillers to seal the deal.
INS AND OUTS
The Golden Eagles were on the board first after taking the heavily contested doubles point, with wins at #1 and #2 in the lineup.
The #3 doubles pair of Lorenzo Di Cursi and Manu Lanteri took down Alberto Nordio and Louay Makke 6-4 to give the Greyhound an early advantage in the doubles point.
In response, Omar Elsamahy and Vincente Garcia edged out Asier Ayllon Prado and Tadeo Gaggiofatto 6-4 at #2 doubles to level the point 1-1.
The decider in the doubles point came from court #1, where David Simeonov and Matthieu Derache forced an initial extension in their match versus the No. 20 ranked team of Jorge Perez Diaz and Marcelo Mifano Pinto, but fell 7-5.
Lanteri answered the 1-0 deficit with a straight-set victory over Jules Alias at #3 singles. After a 6-4 victory in the first set, Lanteri delivered a second-set bagel to tie the match at 1-1.
Gaggiofatto was next to add to the Greyhound lead, overpowering Garcia 6-2, 6-1 on court #5, giving UIndy a 2-1 advantage.
The remaining four singles matches all went the distance, each of them going to third sets. The first to break through was Ayllon Prado, who outlasted Elsamahy 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 at #2 singles, putting the Hounds up 3-1.
The final point was won by Derache at #4 singles, who pulled off a resounding comeback against Makke. After dropping the first set 7-5, Derache came back with emphasis, winning 6-2 in the second set, and clinching the match 6-1 in the third.
UP NEXT
With today's win, the Greyhounds move into the quarterfinals of the DII men's tennis championship, and will face No. 1 ranked Valdosta State tomorrow, May 21, at 3:00 PM.
