College Tennis News - Rebels Advance To Face Michigan In NCAA Second Round

OXFORD, Miss. – The No. 13 seed Ole Miss men’s tennis team began its NCAA first round match against Binghamton outside, and then rain moved the match indoors to the Gillom Sports Center, where the Rebels secured a 4-0 win. They advance to face Michigan in the second round Sunday at 1 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Michigan claimed a 4-1 win over Middle Tennessee. The Wolverines won the doubles point with wins at one and three, and then picked up singles wins at five, two and the clincher at one from Evan King, ranked No. 7 in the nation.

Ole Miss and Binghamton started on time at Noon, but the soon into doubles play, the rain came and the match was moved indoors. Once indoors, the Rebels finished off an 8-3 at No. 3 doubles followed by an 8-4 win at No. 2 from the twin duo of Marcel Thiemann and Chris Thiemann to take the 1-0 lead.

Nik Scholtz, the SEC Freshman of the Year, made it 2-0 when he beat Alexandre Haggai 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1 singles. Junior Jonas Lutjen dominated Ismael Dinia 6-1 in the first set and then held him off 7-5 in the second to put the Rebels up 3-0.

Marcel Thiemann did double duty Saturday, attending graduation ceremonies in the morning and then clinching the Rebels’ win vs. Binghamton, coming back to defeat Bearcat Ruben Devos 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. He has now won nine in a row.

“It was a very competitive match, we had to work hard to get the doubles point. Then we were really tested in each one of the singles. They have a really good team, and we felt fortunate to come away with a win.

“We feel like we’re a little better prepared for Michigan. I saw their match this morning, and I was impressed, especially their No. 1 player. He’s ranked No. 7 in the country, and I think he’s won something like 20 matches in a row. He does an outstanding job of leading their team.”

The winner of Sunday’s match will advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Athens, Ga. May 17-22. For those who can’t make it to the match, follow along with live scoring as well as a live blog at www.OleMissSports.com.

Follow the Rebels on twitter at @OleMissMTennis and on facebook at www.facebook.com/OleMissMTennis.

#13 Ole Miss 4
Binghamton 0

Doubles
1. #13 Scholtz/Lutjen (OM) vs. Devos/Bornkessel (BU) 8-7
2. #17 Thiemann/Thiemann (OM) def. Haggai/Dinia (BU) 8-4
3. Kallberg/Backstrom (OM) def. Lesage/Haggai (BU) 8-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2
Singles
1. #14 Nik Scholtz (OM) def. Alexandre Haggai (BU) 6-4, 6-3
2. #20 Marcel Thiemann (OM) def. Ruben Devos (BU) 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
3. #45 Jonas Lutjen (OM) def. Ismael Dinia (BU) 6-1, 7-5
4. #83 William Kallberg (OM) vs. Robin Lesage (BU) 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
5. Johan Backstrom (OM) vs. Ruben Haggai (BU) 6-1, 3-2, unfinished
6. Florian van Kann (BU) vs. Adrian Skogeng (OM) DNP
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2