Bulldogs Notch 6-1 Victory Over Samford

WILMINGTON, N.C. - In its first outdoor match of the season, the Drake men's tennis team garnered strong individual performances en route to notching the Bulldogs' fourth consecutive victory with a 6-1 St. Patrick's Day decision over Samford on Wednesday (March 17).

"The guys played extremely well for our first match outdoors," Bulldog head coach Jimmy Borendame commented. "There is still room for improvement as a team, but I was impressed with Mauricio (Ballivian) earning a win over a solid No. 1 for Samford."

Drake staked itself to a lead it didn't relinquish securing triumphs at all three doubles slots to earn the doubles point.

Freshman Jean Erasmus (Windhoek, Namibia) extended the margin to 2-0 with his seventh consecutive singles victory following a 6-2, 6-0 decision over Adam Witcher at No. 6.

Improving to 9-1 in his last 10 matches was junior Mauricio Ballivian (Santa Cruz, Bolivia), who bettered Zac Dunkle at No. 1, 6-2, 6-1.

Senior Guilherme Marsiglia (Porto Alegre, Brazil), the current Missouri Valley Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week, sealed the win for the Bulldogs registering a 6-2, 6-1 win versus Scott Foster at No. 3.

Sophomore Cesar Bracho (Luque, Paraguay) added a 6-3, 6-4 triumph against Carl Abalos at No. 5, while sophomore Jonathan Hadash (Lapid, Israel) collected his fourth straight decision downing Oliver Reynolds at No. 4, 6-4, 7-5.

Drake returns to action Thursday (March 18) with a 1:00 p.m. tilt at No. 75 UNC Wilmington.

DRAKE (9-5) DEF. SAMFORD (8-6), 6-1

MARCH 17, 2010 - WILMINGTON, N.C.

SINGLES:

No. 1 Mauricio Ballivian (DU) def. Zac Dunkle (SAM), 6-2, 6-1

No. 2 Carson Kadi (SAM) def. James McKie (DU), 6-3, 6-2

No. 3 Guilherme Marsiglia (DU) def. Scott Foster (SAM), 6-2, 6-1

No. 4 Jonathan Hadash (DU) def. Oliver Reynolds (SAM), 6-4, 7-5

No. 5 Cesar Bracho (DU) def. Carl Abalos (SAM), 6-3, 6-4

No. 6 Jean Erasmus (DU) def. Adam Witcher (SAM), 6-2, 6-0

Order of finish (6,1,3,2,5,4)

DOUBLES: