KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After dropping the doubles point on Saturday, the Old Dominion men's tennis team took four of the five finished singles matches to defeat Western Michigan 4-2 in the consolation match of the ITA Kickoff Weekend event.
"This was a character win today. We had our backs against the wall losing the doubles point and losing four first sets. Our guys didn't stop believing and kept fighting and raising their level. I'm glad we got this experience early in the season," said ODU Head Coach Dominik Mueller.
In doubles, the Broncos took decisions at number two and number three doubles both by 6-2 counts. The number one doubles had the ODU tandem of Younes Lalami and Oliver Nolan leading 5-2 when the point was clinched.
Nolan got the Monarchs on the board with a 6-3, 6-4 win at number six singles over Brogan Pierce to start the comeback. Francois Le Tallec put the Monarchs ahead at number two with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Anton Arzhankin.
Western Michigan got a point back at number four singles, but the Monarchs responded with a pair of three-set comebacks. At number one, Luca Maldoner dropped the first set 6-2 but won the last two 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 to bring ODU to a 3-2 lead. Codie van Schalkwyk followed suit at number five dropping the first set 6-3, but winning the last two 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the 4-2 ODU win.
Old Dominion (2-2) will now make a two-match swing to New York City next weekend starting at Columbia on February 5.
MUELLER ON VAN SCHALKWYK CLINCHER
Codie stepped up big time to clinch the dual match. He came up with big serves at the end and played to win. Amazing stuff for a freshman in such a pressure situation.
MUELLER ON WIN FOR THE PROGRAM
This is amazing win for our program. Western Michigan finished last year ranked 44th. Being the four seed at the kickoff means you are facing three teams that finished last season ahead of you. To finish the weekend with a win like this gives us tremendous momentum for what's coming up next.
Men's Tennis Tops Broncos In ITA KIckoff
