Feb. 15, 2008

Box Score

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

RICHMOND, Ky. - The Southern Illinois men's tennis team fell, 5-2, to Southeastern Louisiana University Friday afternoon at the Greg Adams Tennis Center on the Eastern Kentucky University campus.

"Southeast Louisiana is a good team," said head Coach Dann Nelson. "We had plenty of opportunities in both singles and doubles but did not take advantage. Critical points late in several matches did not go our way."

In doubles, Lucas Waked and Anton Leonenko teamed up against Ondrej Krivka and Matthieu Leboucher in a tough No. 1 doubles match, but fell 9-8 (9-7). Hugo Vidal and Mariano Restrepo took the court in No. 2 doubles against Medhi Darlis and Vladimir Paunic, falling 8-5. Sebastian Rubiano and Chase Miller battled in the No. 3 spot against Alexis Biarneix and Julien Roussel, but ended with an 8-6 loss.

The Salukis fought hard in singles, grabbing two wins. At No. 1 singles, Waked defeated Leboucher 7-5, 4-6, 7-6. Vidal was unable to hold off Paunic at No. 2 singles, falling 6-3, 6-2. Restrepo captured the second win at No. 3 singles, with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win over Krivka. At the No. 4 Roussel took the win against Leonenko, 6-4, 6-7. Rubiano battled for a win over Bairneix at No. 5 singles, but fell 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. Rounding out the match at No. 6 singles, freshman Chase Miller was unable to hold off Darlis, falling 6-1, 6-2.

"Lucas showed a lot of heart and I am extremely proud of his effort," said Nelson. "Mariano Restrepo showed he is starting to get comfortable on the hard courts and has won two, three-set matches in a row."

Nelson looks for the team to learn from this match.

"Even though we are a young team that currently starts one junior, two sophomores and three freshmen, these guys do not give up and fight until the match is over."

The Salukis are now 1-2, and will continue action Saturday against Eastern Kentucky at the Greg Adams Tennis Center in Richmond, Ky.

Southeastern Louisiana 5, Southern Illinois 2

Singles
1. Lucas Waked (SIU) def. Matthieu Leboucher (SLU) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6
2. Vladimir Paunic (SLU) def. Hugo Vidal (SIU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Mariano Restrepo (SIU) def. Ondrej Krivka (SLU) 6-3, 1-6, 6-3
4. Julien Roussel (SLU) def. Anton Leonenko (SIU) 6-4, 7-6
5. Alexis Biarneix (SLU) def. Sebastian Rubiano (SIU) 7-6, 3-6, 6-1
6. Medhi Darlis (SLU) def. Chase Miller (SIU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Krivka/Leboucher (SLU) def. Waked/Leonenko (SIU) 9-8 (9-7)
2. Darlis/Paunic (SLU) def. Vidal/Restrepo (SIU) 8-5
3. Biarneix/Roussel (SLU) def. Rubiano/Miller (SIU) 8-6

Southern Illinois 1-2
Southeastern Louisiana 7-1