DES MOINES, IOWA - Drake men's tennis senior and defending Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Mauricio Ballivian (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) had a dream to capture the No. 1 singles crown at the State Farm MVC Individuals and he accomplished his mission after the Bulldogs captured three titles on the final day of the championship on Sunday (Jan. 23) at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

Drake began its day winning the No. 1 doubles crown as Ballivian and sophomore Anis Ghorbel (Sfax, Tunisia) registered an 8-6 decision over Illinois State's Timon Reichelt and Alexander Pelaez.

The victory was record setting as it moved the Bulldogs past Indiana State into sole possession of first place for the most titles won by a team in championship history with 51.

In singles, Ballivian crafted a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 win against Reichelt at No. 1 to earn his second career singles title and fourth crown overall.

Sophomore Jean Erasmus (Windhoek, Namibia) closed out the victory total registering a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, triumph over Matheus Periera at No. 3.

Drake will now turn its attention to its dual campaign as the Bulldogs host UMKC next Saturday (Jan. 29) at 1:00 p.m.

STATE FARM MVC INDIVIDUALS

JAN. 23, 2011 • ROGER KNAPP TENNIS CENTER

SINGLES:

Mauricio Ballivian (DU) def. Timon Reichelt (ILST), 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

Alexander Pelaez (ILST) def. James McKie (DU), 7-5, 6-3

Jean Erasmus (DU) def. Matheus Periera (WSU), 4-6, 7-5, 6-2

Filip Miljevic (ILST) def. Anis Ghorbel (DU), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-1

Tuomas Manner (ILST) def. Robin Goodman (DU), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

Juan Estenssoro (WSU) def. Ryan Drake (DU), 6-2, 6-1

DOUBLES:

Ballivian/Ghorbel (DU) def. Pelaez/Reichelt (ILST), 8-6

Ballivian/Ghorbel (DU) def. Mihai/Marinescu (WSU), 9-7

Cavalcanti/Periera (WSU) def. Bracho/McKie (DU), 8-3