APRIL 2, 2011
ROCKFORD, Ill. - Senior Mauricio Ballivian (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) likes to lead
by example and the Drake men's tennis team has more than followed his lead over
its winning streak as the Bulldogs registered their eighth consecutive victory
with a 5-2 triumph past Western Michigan on Saturday (April 2).
Drake was forced to come from behind in the contest as the
Broncos recorded wins at the Nos. 2 and 3 doubles positions to collect the
doubles point.
The Bulldogs weren't about to let their winning streak go without
a fight in singles and Drake responded posting triumphs at the top five slots
to garner the victory.
Freshman Robin Goodman (Cambridge, England) netted the first point at No. 5
dispatching of Brad Noel, 6-1, 6-1.
Sophomore James McKie (Edinburgh, Scotland) then pushed the Bulldogs ahead
to stay downing Kazuya Komada at No. 2, 6-3, 6-1.
Extending the advantage to 3-1 at No. 1 was Ballivian, who
bettered Michael Calderone, 6-4, 7-6 (1).
Earning the deciding tally in the match was sophomore Anis Ghorbel (Sfax,
Tunisia), who registered a 6-3, 7-6 (4) decision past Pablo Olivarez at No. 3.
Rounding out Drake's victory total was sophomore Jean Erasmus (Windhoek,
Namibia) following his 6-3, 4-6, 10-8, win over Casey Cullen at No. 4.
The Bulldogs close out their weekend battling Northern
Illinois in a 1:00 p.m. tilt on Sunday (April 3).
DRAKE (14-2) DEF. WESTERN MICHIGAN (11-9), 5-2
APRIL 2, 2011 • ROCKFORD, ILL.
SINGLES:
No. 1 Mauricio Ballivian (DU) def. Michael Calderone (WMU),
6-4, 7-6 (1)
No. 2 James McKie (DU) def. Kazuya Komada (WSU), 6-3, 6-1
No. 3 Anis Ghorbel (DU) def. Pablo Olivarez (WMU), 6-3, 7-6
(4)
No. 4 Jean Erasmus (DU) def. Casey Cullen (WMU), 6-3, 4-6,
10-8
No. 5 Robin Goodman (DU) def. Brad Noel (WMU), 6-1, 6-1
No. 6 Ross VanderPloeg (WMU) def. Cesar Bracho (DU), 0-6,
6-3, 6-3
Order of finish: 5,2,1,3,4,6
DOUBLES:
No. 1 Ballivian/Ghorbel (DU) def. Calderone/Thomas Calderone
(WMU), 8-2
No. 2 Cullen/Olivarez (WMU) def. Erasmus/McKie (DU), 8-6
No. 3 Komada/VanderPloeg (WMU) def. Bracho/Goodman (DU), 8-6
Order of finish: 1,3,2
