Drake Captures Two Titles To Wrap Up State Farm MVC Individuals

DES MOINES, IOWA - The Drake men's tennis team captured a pair of singles championships on the final day of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Individuals on Sunday (Jan. 24) at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

The two titles moved the Bulldogs into a tie with Indiana State, who has since dropped its program, for the most all-time victories in MVC Individuals history with 50.

Drake came up short in two of its three semifinal doubles matches with the tandem of senior Guilherme Marsiglia (Porto Alegre, Brazil) and freshman Jean Erasmus (Windhoek, Nambia) accounting for the only championship match appearance in flight No. 2. Bettering the Bulldog duo in the title tilt was Timon Reichelt and Matej Zlatkovic of Illinois State, 8-3.

In singles, freshman James McKie (Edinburgh, Scotland) captured the No. 5 singles crown on the strength of a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 triumph over Skip Span of Illinois State. The win was the second of the tournament for McKie over Span.

Garnering his third career singles title and fourth overall championship was Marsiglia, who dispatched of Illinois State's Zlatkovic, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) at No. 4.

Junior Mauricio Ballivian (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) waged a tight battle with Filip Miljevic of Illinois State before succumbing, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7) at the top singles slot.

In the No. 6 singles flight, Adrian Chermaci of Wichita State recorded a 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1 win versus Erasmus.

Drake returns to the court on Feb. 6 as the Bulldogs entertain Northern Illinois in a 2:00 p.m. matinee affair at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

STATE FARM MVC INDIVIDUALS

JAN. 24, 2010 - ROGER KNAPP TENNIS CENTER

SINGLES:

Filip Miljevic (ILS) def. Mauricio Ballivian (DU), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7)

Guilherme Marsiglia (DU) def. Matej Zlatkoivc (ILS), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3)

James McKie (DU) def. Skip Span (ILS), 7-5, 2-6, 6-3

Adrian Chermaci (WSU) def. Jean Erasmus (DU), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1

DOUBLES:

Kasper/Marinescu (WSU) def. Ballivian/McKie (CU), 8-5

Marsiglia/Erasmus (DU) def. Chermaci/Mihai (WSU), 8-4