Men's Tennis Sweeps Final Home Meet

March 25, 2006

MILWAUKEE - At their final home meet, seniors, Ian Kawas, Ricky Servoss, and Eigis Vedrickas, all walked away with victories helping contribute to Marquette's 7-0 wins over Valparaiso and South Dakota State.

"I think coming into today we knew we were capable of winning both matches," Kawas said, "so I thought we handled ourselves well making sure we got out there and took care of business."

With a new look to the doubles lineup, the Golden Eagles appeared to play with more intensity. Vedrickas and freshman, Stephen Shao, defeated Mike Wagner and David Bukowski at no. 2, 8-2. The tandem of Brett Binkley and Trent Hagan were able to get the win over the Crusader's Nic Kooyers and Mike Shideler, 8-4, at the no. 1 spot. Eric Fleming and Pete Van Lieshout closed out the sweep by defeating Joe Venegas and Alex Lau, 8-4.

"Our doubles play had been a little stale, so we switched and gave them all new partners," head coach Steve Rodecap said. "I thought the energy was better and they seemed to be more relaxed. We have been focusing on our doubles play all week."

After earning the doubles point, Marquette never looked back. Kawas took care of Wagner quickly at no. 3, winning 6-1, 6-2. Vedrickas was able to get revenge on Kooyers, who he had lost to one year earlier, winning 6-2, 6-4, at no. 1. Fleming saw action at no. 6, where he took down Lau, 6-3, 6-2.

In their second match-up of the day, the Golden Eagles took on the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. Marquette again came out intense in doubles, capturing convincing wins at all three positions. The senior duo of Kawas and Ricky Servoss took down Matt Gill and Dusty Antoine at no. 2, 8-2. At no. 3, Vedrickas and Shao defeated Ben Scholtz and Jonathan Thie, 8-0.

In singles, Kawas, Greg Sirotek and Servoss were all able to sweep their matches at three, four and five, winning 6-0, 6-0. Fleming played no. 2 and defeated Brian Hylle, 6-1, 6-0.

"The seniors have been with me now for three years and it was important to send them off on a high note," Rodecap said. "I thought they really played well. I'm also really proud of our freshmen. They have a ways to go still but they're really starting to turn the corner."

The road ahead will not be easy for Marquette as they face nationally ranked, Western Michigan on April 2.

"I think we are going to try and work on our composure and make sure we fight every point," Kawas said. "We need to have six guys out there competing at their full potential."

"Getting two more wins today helps give us confidence," Rodecap said. "We are excited to play Western Michigan. They have been playing well all year."

-COMPLETE RESULTS-

Marquette 7, Valparaiso 0

Singles
No. 1-Eigintas Vedrickas (MU) def. Nic Kooyers (Valpo) 6-2, 6-4
No. 2-Trent Hagan (MU) def. Joe Venegas (Valpo) 6-4, 4-6, 10-6
No. 3-Ian Kawas (MU) def. Mike Wagner (Valpo) 6-1, 6-2
No. 4-Brett Binkley (MU) def. Mike Shideler (Valpo) 7-5, 6-2
No. 5-Stephen Shao (MU) def. David Bukowski (Valpo) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
No. 6-Eric Flemming (MU) def. Alex Lau (Valpo) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
No. 1-Hagan/Binkley (MU) def. Kooyers/Shideler (Valpo) 8-4
No. 2-Vedrickas/Shao (MU) def. Wagner/Bukowski (Valpo) 8-2
No. 3-Flemming/Pete Van Lieshout (MU) def. Venegas/Lau (Valpo) 8-4

Marquette 7, South Dakota State 0

Singles
No. 1-Eigis Vedrickas (MU) def. Zac Lunak (SDSU) 6-2, 6-3
No. 2-Eric Fleming (MU) def. Brian Hylle (SDSU) 6-1, 6-0
No. 3-Ian Kawas (MU) def. Matt Gill (SDSU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 4-Greg Sirotek (MU) def. Dusty Antoine (SDSU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 5-Ricky Servoss (MU) def. Ben Scholtz (SDSU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 6-Pete Van Lieshout (MU) def. Jonathan Thie (SDSU) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles
No. 1-Hagan/Binkley (MU) def. Lunak/Hylle (SDSU) 8-0
No. 2-Kawas/Servoss (MU) def. Gill/Antoine (SDSU) 8-2
No. 3-Vedrickas/Shao (MU) def. Scholtz/Thie (SDSU) 8-0