SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's tennis program clinched the Southland Conference title with a 7-0 victory over Abilene Christian on Saturday morning in front of a capacity crowd at the Mabry Tennis Center. The win clinches the regular season title for the Cardinals -- the first Division I title in program history -- and locks up the number one seed for the Cardinals in the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After winning the doubles point to take an early 1-0 advantage, the Cardinals' lone senior,
Joey Vatanadilok, celebrated Senior Day with a 6-3, 6-1 victory in #4 singles.
Sebastian Mortier followed with another straight-set victory (7-6, 6-2) in #3 singles to give UIW a 3-0 lead. Reigning SLC Player of the Week,
Paco Bendana, clinched the match and the SLC title for the Cardinals with a 6-3, 7-6 victory in #2 singles.
The Cardinals' final three wins were all three-set thrillers, with
Gabriel Evans winning in #1 singles (6-4, 3-6, 7-5),
Caleb Dyer in the #6 position (6-3, 1-6, 10-6), and
Ivanhoe Lissanevitch in #5 (4-6, 6-4, 10-8) to complete the 7-0 sweep over ACU.
The Cardinals (11-9 overall, 5-0 SLC) entered this season under first-year head coach,
Jonas Andersson. UIW had a four-win differential from last year, when the team went 1-4 in conference play.
RESULTS
Singles
1.
Gabriel Evans (UIW) def. Josh Sheehy (ACU), 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
2.
Paco Bendana (UIW) def. Jon Sheehy (ACU), 6-3, 7-6
3.
Sebastian Mortier (UIW) def. Nikolas Moceanu (ACU), 7-6, 6-2
4.
Joey Vatanadilok (UIW) def. Henry Adams (ACU), 6-3, 6-1
5.
Ivanhoe Lissanevitch (UIW) def. Paul Michael Domanski (ACU), 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
6.
Caleb Dyer (UIW) def. Hunter Holman (ACU), 6-3, 1-6, 10-6
Doubles
1. Evans/Mortier (UIW) def. Josh Sheehy/Domanski (ACU), 6-4
2. Bendana/Vatanadilok (UIW) def. Adams/Jon Sheehy (ACU), 6-4
3. Dyer/Lissanevitch (UIW) def. Brad Gleason/Cole Lawson (ACU), 5-4, unfinished
QUOTES
Junior Paco Bendana on winning the regular season championship:
"Everyone worked really hard for this moment. In the beginning, we were just taking it match by match. We kept winning and put ourselves in the driver's seat. We have always believed in each other. We've been working hard. It's a good win and we're anxious to see what we can do in [the] conference [tournament]."
Bendana on taking this momentum into the conference tournament:
"We start again at 0-0. Nothing is there for us. We have to go earn it."
Overall thoughts from head coach Jonas Andersson:
"I'm so proud of this team. The progress we made since the start of the season is outstanding and the team camaraderie has improved so much. Everyone is playing at the top of their game. To bring home the first Southland Conference title to UIW is amazing."
UP NEXT
The 2018 SLC Men's Tennis Tournament is scheduled for April 27-29 at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center.
To purchase tickets to UIW home events, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator
Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit
uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
