Men's tennis rises to challenge in win over (RV) Ottawa
SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NEB. – The Mustangs were in for a challenge in their spring home opener as they crossed paths with Ottawa of Kansas, who was receiving votes in the first iteration of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics coaches' poll. Morningside proved to be up to the challenge as they picked up a 4-3 win over the Braves.
Mark Trenkle and Gustav Sjoberg won their doubles match 6-2 as Ottawa took an early lead by taking the doubles point.
Trenkle got the Mustangs back to even as he picked up a no. 1 singles win, 6-3, 6-1.
Mikhil Raja was next for the Mustangs, winning 6-3, 6-2, bringing the score back to even after Ottawa took the no. 4 singles win. The moment didn't last long, however, as the Braves quickly grabbed a win at no. 5 singles.
Santiago Minetti picked up a no. 2 singles win courtesy of a 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-0 win, turning all eyes to Skander Ben Abdallah in the no. 3 singles match.
Ben Abdallah gave the Mustangs the walk off win, splitting the first two sets 6-3 and 3-6 before diving into a super tiebreaker with the match on the line. The senior, who hails from Tunis, Tunisia, stayed calm under pressure, fighting for a 7-5 win.
Morningside is back on the blue courts at First Serve Tennis Center tomorrow, playing Carleton College at 3 p.m.
Doubles
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Mark Trenkle/Gustav Sjoberg def. Jarmo Perez/Jhoel Quinonez 6-2
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Oscar Giorgio/Ben Russell def. Santiago Minetti/Skander Ben Abdallah 6-2
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Santiago Tartaglia/Julian Toloza def. Abhishek Mohapatra/Winyou Asavaruangchai 6-3
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles
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Mark Trenkle def. Jarmo Perez 6-3, 6-1
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Santiago Minetti def. Jhoel Quinonez 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-0
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Skander Ben Abdallah def. Julian Toloza 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
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Santiago Tartaglia def. Gustav Sjoberg 6-4, 6-0
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Oscar Giorgio def. Christian Kelly 6-3, 6-3
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Mikhil Raja def. Ben Russell 6-3, 6-2
Order of Finish 1, 4, 6, 5, 2, 3
