By: Jake Timm (@GBJakeT)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay men's tennis team clinched at least a share of the regular season Horizon League title on Sunday with a 6-1 win over visiting Youngstown State.
The Phoenix (15-7) dropped the doubles point, but swept singles play for the second match in a row. This is Green Bay's third consecutive Horizon League regular season title.
Five of Green Bay's six singles players won in straight sets, with senior Michael Tenzer (Neuried, Germany), needing three sets to claim victory at No. 1 singles.
“It wasn't easy doing this,” said junior Joey Leto (Downers Grove, Ill.), who won his match at No. 6 singles 6-0, 6-3. “We're going to have to play much tougher now because you never know what could happen, we have to keep our focus.”
Three Phoenix singles players won a set by a score of 7-6, with the Penguins looking to stay unbeaten in conference play as well. Youngstown State (7-10) came into the match 3-0 in Horizon League competition.
With a share of the regular season title clinched, Green Bay turns its attention to Wright State (10-16, 0-5). The Phoenix will host the Raiders in its regular season finale at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 19 at Western Racquet and Fitness Center.
“We need to focus on Wright State first,” said junior Leopold Gomez Islinger (Weiden, Germany), who claimed victory at No. 2 singles by a score of 7-6, 6-3. “Last year when we played them at Wright State it was a tough match, and as soon as that match is finished then we can focus on the Horizon League tournament.”
Green Bay is aiming to secure an automatic NCAA Tournament bid by winning the Horizon League Championship tournament for the second year in a row. The conference tournament takes place April 24-26 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
“Obviously getting to the NCAA Tournament is one of our main team goals, and has been since I've been here,” said Leto. “We know how it feels winning the conference tournament, so it would mean a lot.”
Green Bay 6 – Youngstown State 1
Singles
No. 1 (125)Michael Tenzer (GB) def. Remi Chancerel (YSU) 6-7, 6-4, 10-8
No. 2 Leopold Gomez Islinger (GB) def. Hugo Morth (YSU) 7-6, 6-3
No. 3 Howard Scott (GB) def. Bassem El Makawi (YSU) 7-6, 6-2
No. 4 Florian Kraenzler (GB) def. Silviu Mistreanu (YSU) 6-3, 6-4
No. 5 Joshua Schramm (GB) def. Dawoud Kabli (YSU) 6-4, 7-6
No. 6 Joey Leto (GB) def. Victor Pereira (YSU) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles
No. 1 Tenzer/Kraenzler (GB) def. Kabli/Pereira (YSU) 6-2
No. 2 Chancerel/Pereira (YSU) def. Scott/Leto (GB) 6-3
No. 3 Morth/El Makawi (YSU) def. Islinger/Michael Tebon (GB) 6-3
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