Monday, 05/14/2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Indiana Hoosiers men's tennis team (24-9,7-4 Big Ten, No. 26) defeated No. 34 Louisville, 4-2, in a thrilling match in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory marks the second NCAA Tournament win in program history and set the IU single-season wins record.

"Our hats are off to Louisville," said Indiana head coach Randy Bloemendaal. "They fought really hard all day long. We had the lead and I think we played a little bit tight there at the end in those situations. Overall, our guys played pretty well."

The Hoosiers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the matchup before Louisville rallied to pull within one, but clutch play late at six singles by Dimitrije Tasic sealed the win for Indiana.

Josh MacTaggart and Alastair Barnes got things going for the Cream and Crimson, notching a win at two doubles, 8-3, over Sebastian Stiefelmeyer and Robert Hall. Stephen Vogl and Will Kendall sealed the doubles point with a victory at three over Adam Donaldson and Michael Lippens by a score of 8-4.

Isade Juneau continued the Hoosier momentum into singles, defeating Andrew Carter, 6-1, 7-5, at the one position. Vogl followed that up shortly after with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Lippens at two singles to give IU the 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals notched a pair of wins at the three and five spots to pull within one. Albert Wagner defeated Langer by a score of 6-2, 6-4 at three and Kendall fell to Hall 6-4, 6-2 at five.

As MacTaggart and Stiefelmeyer were battling at two singles, Tasic came through with the 6-4, 7-6 (6) victory at six over Luis Elizondo to clinch the win after rallying from a 5-1 second set deficit.

The Hoosiers will be back in action at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday against No. 6 Kentucky.


RESULTS
Singles
1 - Isade Juneau (IU) def. Andrew Carter (UL) 6-1, 7-5
2 - Sebastian Stiefelmeyer (UL) vs. No. 78 Josh MacTaggart (IU) DNF
3 - Albert Wagner (UL) def. Jeremy Langer (IU) 6-2, 6-4
4 - Stephen Vogl (IU) def. Michael Lippens (UL) 6-3, 6-4
5 - Robert Hall (UL) def. Will Kendall (IU) 6-4, 6-2
6 - Dimitrije Tasic (IU) def. Luis Elizondo (UL) 6-4, 7-6 (6)

Doubles
1 - No. 86 Albert Wagner/Andrew Carter (UL) vs. Isade Juneau/Jeremy Langer (IU) DNF
2 - Josh MacTaggart/Alastair Barnes (IU) def. Sebastian Stiefelmeyer/Robert Hall (UL) 8-3
3 - Stephen Vogl/Will Kendall (IU) def. Adam Donaldson/Michael Lippens (UL) 8-4

Order of Finish
Singles - 1, 4, 5, 3, 6*
Doubles - 2, 3*