BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Drake University men's tennis team squeaked out a 4-3 win at Indiana Friday night IU Tennis Center.
 
"This is a big win for us. Picking up a Big Ten on the road over Indiana is massive for our confidence," said Drake head coach Davidson Kozlowski.
 
The Bulldogs came out and won the ever-crucial doubles point to go up 1-0. Juniors Tom Hands and Ben Clark topped Raheel Manji and Zac Brodney 6-3 at No. 3, while Vinny Gillespie and Barny Thorold clinched the point at No. 1 by beating Afonso Salgando and Antonio Cembellin 6-4.
 
Senior Ben Wood put the Bulldogs up 2-0 with his 6-4, 6-4 win over Brandon Lam at No. 6 singles.
 
The Hoosiers managed to tie the match up at 2-2 with wins at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively.
 
Hands put the Drake a point away from the win as he upended Cembellin 6-4, 6-4 at No. 2.
 
IU's Brodney kept the Hoosiers comeback win hopes alive with a victory at No.5.
 
After dropping the first set, 6-2, Thorold regrouped and took the second set. 6-3 to force a third and decisive set. In the third set, Thorold and Keivon Tabriz each held serve for the first nine games with Thorold taking a 5-4 advantage. Tabrizi saved one match point to force a deciding point. Thorold managed to win the deciding point to secure the Bulldogs victory and win the third set 6-4.
 
"There is nothing like it. Clinching for your team and everyone rushing on to the court to celebrate as a team," said Thorold.
 
The Bulldogs will close out their weekend on Sunday as they travel to Purdue. First serve is set for 9 a.m. CST.
 
Drake 4, Indiana 3
Mar 02, 2018 at Bloomington, Ind. (IU Tennis Center) 

Singles competition

1. Raheel Manji (IND) def. Vinny Gillespie (DU) 6-3, 6-1

2. Tom Hands (DU) def. Antonio Cembellin (IND) 6-4, 6-4

3. Barny Thorold (DU) def. Keivon Tabrizi (IND) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

4. Bennett Crane (IND) def. Ben Clark (DU) 6-3, 6-1

5. Zac Brodney (IND) def. Finley Hall (DU) 6-4, 7-5

6. Ben Wood (DU) def. Brandon Lam (IND) 6-4, 6-4

 

Doubles competition

1. Vinny Gillespie/Barny Thorold (DU) def. Afonso Salgado/Antonio Cembellin (IND) 6-4

2. Bennett Crane/Keivon Tabrizi (IND) vs. Finley Hall/Ben Wood (DU) 4-5, unfinished

3. Tom Hands/Ben Clark (DU) def. Raheel Manji/Zac Brodney (IND) 6-3

 

Match Notes

Drake 11-6

Indiana 8-6

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (6,1,4,2,5,3)