TULSA, Okla. – The Drake University men's tennis team advanced to the title match of the Summit League Men's Tennis Championship with a convincing 4-1 win over Valparaiso Friday evening.
 
Despite dropping the doubles point, the Bulldogs cruised through the singles competition with four straight-set wins to defeat the Crusaders. Vinny Gillespie opened the action with a 6-4, 6-3 over the Summit League Player of the Year Brandon Ancona at No. 1 singles. That was followed by a 6-1, 6-3 win by Finley Hall at No. 6 singles and a 6-2, 6-4 win by Bayo Philips at No. 3.
 
Ben Clark sealed the win and title match berth with a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 5 singles.
 
That win advanced the Bulldogs to the title match for the second time in as many years as a member of the Summit League. The team will face No. 1 seed Denver in the championship match at 1 p.m. A victory would secure the Bulldogs' third-straight NCAA appearance.
 
No. 2 Drake 4, No. 3 Valparaiso 1
Apr 26, 2019 at Tulsa, Okla. (Bernis Duke Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Vinny Gillespie (DU) def. Brandon Ancona (VALPO) 6-4, 6-3
2. Tom Hands (DU) vs. Kweisi Kenyatte (VALPO) 6-3, 6-5, unfinished
3. Bayo Philips (DU) def. Chad Kissell (VALPO) 6-2, 6-4
4. Calum MacGeoch (DU) vs. Brian Pecyna (VALPO) 5-7, 6-4, unfinished
5. Ben Clark (DU) def. Daniel Langston (VALPO) 6-4, 6-3
6. Finley Hall (DU) def. Gabriel Carvajal (VALPO) 6-1, 6-3
 
Doubles competition
1. Vinny Gillespie/Barny Thorold (DU) vs. Brandon Ancona/Kweisi Kenyatte (VALPO) 5-4, unfinished
2. Brian Pecyna/Daniel Langston (VALPO) def. Tom Hands/Bayo Philips (DU) 6-2
3. Chad Kissell/Franklin Brozovich (VALPO) def. Calum MacGeoch/Ben Clark (DU) 6-4
 
Match Notes
No. 3 Valparaiso 14-5, 4-2
No. 2 Drake 18-13, 5-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,6,3,5)
2019 Summit League Championship Semifinal
No. 2 vs. No. 3
Official: Kevin Gannon