The 2015-16 season featured many thrilling moments and accomplishments for Drake athletics. From conference titles, outstanding team and individual accomplishments, postseason appearances and significant regular season victories, the Bulldogs had plenty to celebrate as they look forward to the upcoming season. Before embarking on 2016-17, www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com will take a look back at the top 10 moments of the 2015-16 throughout the month of July.
The No. 6 moment of 2015-16 comes from the men's tennis team on March 22 when the Bulldogs came back from an early deficit to pull off the upset over No. 26 Oregon.
After having a 10 day break from competition, the Bulldogs came out slow and the Ducks took advantage of the sluggish start and won the doubles point.
Drake got back into a rhythm in singles as, sophomore
Ben Stride cruised past Ethan Young-Smith, winning 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 6 spot to tie the match up at one.
The Ducks regained the lead with a victory on court three. Senior
Ben Lott earned a big break before holding his serve to defeat No. 96 Daan Maasland, 6-4, 6-4, at the No. 1 spot, and tied the match up at two.
"What a great effort from Ben (Lott) today, picking up a nationally ranked win. He is a guy that the team looks too and when he is winning and playing well the guys know we are in good shape," Drake head coach
Davidson Kozlowski said.
Oregon took the lead for the final time of the day by earning a win on court five, but sophomore
Calum MacGeoch tied the match up at three with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Jayson Amos at No. 4.
The decisive match point came down to court two between a pair of freshmen, DU's
Vinny Gillespie and UO's Thomas Laurent. Laurent managed to take the first set 7-5, but Gillespie bounced back and dominated the second set, winning 6-1. In the third set, Gillespie earned a break early but Laurent broke back to take a 5-4 lead. Gillespie came right back and broke Laurent's serve and then served out for the match, winning 7-5 and clinched the match for the Bulldogs.
Check back on July 21 as the No. 5 moment of 2015-16 is unveiled.
Bulldog Top 10 of 2015-16
No. 10 – McCann Wins Drake Relays Title
No. 9 – Women's Golf Wins Creighton Classic
No. 8 – Football Beats Rival Dayton
No. 7 – Newman Named MVC Pitcher Of The Year
No. 6 – Men's Tennis Upset No. 26 Oregon