Dual matches begin for men’s tennis

Newman University and Oral Roberts stood no chance against the Wichita State’s men’s tennis team. The Shockers defeated Newman 7-0 and Oral Roberts 6-1.

The early match against Newman was truly a one-sided affair with all three doubles teams winning big. Ilija Cuic and Tin Ostojic won at the one position 8-2, as did Jocelyn Devilliers and Ibian Hodgson by the same score.

In the singles matches, Tomislav Gregurovic was the first Shocker off the court after defeating Newman’s Max Pyle 6-0, 6-1.

“I took it one game at a time,” Gregurovic said of his fast play. “I had to think like I was playing the deciding match for a national title.”

Devilliers, Guillermo Nicol, Ostojic, and Cuic won their singles matches against Newman but the match was clinched by a 6-1, 6-1 victory by Hodgson.

In the second dual match of the day, WSU played Oral Roberts and the Golden Eagles surprised the Shockers by taking the doubles point early by winning at the one and three positions.

Handing Ostojic and Cuic only their second doubles loss this fall seemed to inspire the Golden Eagles squad heading into the break in play.

After a short recess, WSU regrouped and won in straight sets of every singles match with Hodgson once against clinching the match 6-2, 6-2 for WSU.

“My forehand was helping me a lot to open up the court,” Hodgson said. “The team was showing a ton of support the entire time.”

WSU travels to the ITA Central Region Championships in Tulsa, Okla. Oct. 17 – 21.