DENVER, Colo. – The Drake University men's tennis team secured its 11th berth to the NCAA Tournament Saturday as the Bulldogs beat Valparaiso, 4-1, in the Summit League Championship match to earn the Summit League's automatic bid.

The Bulldogs gained an early 1-0 lead by taking the doubles point. Ben Clark and Finley Hall cruised past Chad Kissel and Brandon Ancona, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles, while Ben Wood and Tom Hands secured the point with a 6-2 win at No. 3.
 
Junior Vinny Gillespie put Drake up 2-0 as he rolled past Kweisi Kenyatte, 6-2, 6-0 at No. 2 singles.
 
Hands won in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3 to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Crusaders got on the board with a win at No. 1.
 
Hall overcame a set deficit to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 and clinch the Bulldogs' Summit League Tournament title.
 
The Bulldogs will find out their NCAA Tournament destination on Tuesday, May 1 when the 64-team field is revealed on NCAA.com at 4:30 p.m.
 
Drake 4, Valparaiso 1
Apr 28, 2018 

Singles competition

1. Chad Kissell (VALPO) def. Barny Thorold (DU) 6-3, 6-1

2. Vinny Gillespie (DU) def. Kweisi Kenyatte (VALPO) 6-2, 6-0

3. Tom Hands (DU) def. Brandon Ancona (VALPO) 6-3, 6-1

4. Gabriel Carvajal (VALPO) vs. Ben Wood (DU) no result

5. Garrett Gardner (VALPO) vs. Ben Clark (DU) no result

6. Finley Hall (DU) def. Daniel Langston (VALPO) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3

 

Doubles competition

1. Kweisi Kenyatte/Garrett Gardner (VALPO) vs. Barny Thorold/Vinny Gillespie (DU) no result

2. Ben Clark/Finley Hall (DU) def. Chad Kissell/Brandon Ancona (VALPO) 6-1

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

 

Match Notes

Valparaiso 9-11

Drake 18-13

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