INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – After 2 days of play, the Finalists are now set at the 2023 ITA Division II Men’s National Team Indoor Championship as UIndy and Saint Leo each earn victories in today’s Semifinal matches.
Columbus State and Saint Leo were the first match to take stage. Columbus State was attempting to make the final as they have every year since the event started in 2020, while Saint Leo was coming in as heavy hopefuls to reach their first.
Beginning with doubles, the match looked to be as close as it can get, with all 3 courts battling to the wire to help achieve the doubles point for their team. Saint Leo would take the first match off the board with a 6-4 win on #2 doubles, shortly after, they would reach a 1-0 overall match score with a 7-5 win on #3 doubles.
In singles, spectators were in for the long one. Saint Leo and Columbus State would trade the first two wins, having straight set victories on court 2 (Saint Leo) and court 4 (Columbus State). The remaining matches would all come down to a final and decisive third set.
#3 singles would provide yet another point for Saint Leo, giving them the 3-1 advantage, and giving way to Ghali Mensour to clinch the match with a 6-4 third set win. The Lions will be making their first ever appearance in the D-II Men’s National Indoor Championship Match and will be eager to await the opportunity.
Our primetime match of the evening saw hosts, UIndy, go to battle with Wayne State, in front of UIndy’s energetic and hopeful crowd. With fans filling the bleachers before play proceeded, this was set to be a memorable one.
Doubles started off contested, with no teams looking to take a fast lead. Halfway through, the UIndy crowd looked to be of no distraction for Wayne State’s #2 doubles team as they went on to take the first match 6-3. UIndy would reply with a 6-3 win of their own on #1 doubles, leaving #3 doubles to seal the 1-0 advantage for either team.
UIndy would take the hold at 5-5, giving them the 6-5 game advantage before breaking serve of Wayne State to take the doubles point and the 1-0 lead.
In singles, Wayne State was able to even the score at 1-1 after a straight set win on #3 singles, before UIndy would respond with a straight sets win of their own on #6 singles. From there, the match seemed to be in anyone’s hands as 3 of the 4 remaining courts were in third sets. UIndy received a boost of momentum from their #2 singles position as Tom Zeuch was able to secure the 7-5 7-5 win, putting UIndy only one court away from the Championship Match.
With match points lost on #4 singles, it was time for Edgar Destouet (UIndy) to take his turn on #1 singles to capitalize on match points, while up 5-0 in the set. Serving to win the match, Destouet was able to hold and secure the match win with a 6-0 final set and propel the Greyhounds to their second ever D-II Men’s National Team Indoor Championship Match.
Both UIndy and Saint Leo will be looking to take home their first ever Men’s National Team Indoor Championship.
The Finals of the 2023 ITA Division II Men’s National Team Indoor Championship will begin at 2:30 pm (ET) from the UIndy Tennis Center.
Scroll below for a full recap of today’s main draw and consolation draw action:
Main Draw Results: Semifinals
- Saint Leo University (3) def. Columbus State (2), 4-1 | Box Score
- University of Indianapolis (8) def. Wayne State University (5), 4-2 | Box Score
Consolations
- Hawaii Pacific University (6) def. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (7), 4-0 | Box Score
- Barry University (1) def. Flagler College (4), 4-1 | Box Score
