DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University men's tennis team went 2-0 in its final two home games, sweeping Wichita State, 4-0, and then beating Valpo, 6-1, Saturday at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

The Bulldogs managed to sweek out the doubles point over the Shockers to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
Drake used that momentum from doubles into singles to win the first set on four of the six courts.
 
Vinny Gillespie extended Drake's lead to 2-0 with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Murkel Dellien at No. 2 singles. Ben Clark rolled past Andrea Trapani, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 5 to put Drake up 3-0.
 
Tom Hands sealed the 4-0 sweep with his 6-3, 6-1 victory over Marius Frosa at No. 3.
 
In the nightcap of the twinbill, Drake (15-13, 5-0 Summit) swept two of the doubles matches to go up 1-0.
 
Clark gave Drake a 2-0 advantage with his 6-1, 6-3 win over Valpo's Garrett Garder at No. 5.
 
Barny Thorold defeated Chad Kissell 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1 to put Drake a point away from victory. A few minutes later, Hands completed his 6-2, 6-2 straight set victory at No. 3 to clinch the Bulldog win.
 
Senior Ben Wood and freshman Freddie Powell each won in straight sets at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively to cap off Drake's 6-1 victory over the Crusaders.
 
The Bulldogs will travel to Lincoln, Neb. for their final non-conference match of the season on Wednesday, April 18, as they square off against the Nebraska Huskers.
 
Drake 4, Wichita State 0
Apr 14, 2018 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Tennis Center) 

Singles competition

1. Haru Inoue (WSU) vs. Barny Thorold (DU) 2-6, 3-2 Unfinished

2. Vinny Gillespie (DU) def. Murkel Dellien (WSU) 6-2, 6-4

3. Tom Hands (DU) def. Marius Frosa (WSU) 6-3, 6-1

4. Miroslav Herzan (WSU) vs. Ben Wood (DU) 6-3, 5-6 Unfinished

5. Ben Clark (DU) def. Andrea Trapani (WSU) 6-3, 6-0

6. Eddie Stoica (WSU) vs. Finley Hall (DU) 6-4, 3-4, Unfinished

 

Doubles competition

1. #76 Vinny Gillespie/Barny Thorold (DU) def. Miroslav Herzan/Andrea Caligiana (WSU) 7-6 (7-0)

2. Eddie Stoica/Andrea Trapani (WSU) def. Finley Hall/Ben Clark (DU) 6-3

3. Tom Hands/Ben Wood (DU) def. Murkel Dellien/Haru Inoue (WSU) 6-4

 

Match Notes

Wichita State 14-9

Drake 14-13

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (2,5,3)

 
Drake 6, Valparaiso 1
Apr 14, 2018 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Tennis Center) 

Singles competition

1. Barny Thorold (DU) def. Chad Kissell (VALPO) 6-2, 6-4

2. Kweisi Kenyatte (VALPO) def. Vinny Gillespie (DU) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (12-10)

3. Tom Hands (DU) def. Brandon Ancona (VALPO) 6-2, 6-2

4. Ben Wood (DU) def. Gabriel Carvajal (VALPO) 6-3, 6-2

5. Ben Clark (DU) def. Garrett Gardner (VALPO) 6-1, 6-3

6. Freddie Powell (DU) def. Daniel Langston (VALPO) 6-3, 7-5

 

Doubles competition

1. Vinny Gillespie/Barny Thorold (DU) def. Garrett Gardner/Kweisi Kenyatte (VALPO) 6-3

2. Ben Clark/Finley Hall (DU) vs. Chad Kissell/Brandon Ancona (VALPO) 5-5, unfinished

3. Ben Wood/Tom Hands (DU) def. Brian Pecyna/Franklin Brozovich (VALPO) 6-2

 

Match Notes

Valparaiso 7-10 (4-2 Summit)

Drake 15-13 (5-0 Summit)

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (5,1,3,4,2,6)