YSU Drops 4-3 Thriller to Valparaiso in HL Semifinals

by YSU

Sunday, Apr 30, 2017 10:17 am

Ann Arbor, Mich. - In a clash of the two hottest teams in the Horizon League, the Youngstown State men's tennis team dropped a 4-3 contest to top-seed Valparaiso on Saturday morning at the Varsity Tennis Center.

The Penguins (19-8) split the six singles matches with the Crusaders (22-3), but Valpo claimed the early doubles point and was able to fight off the Guins. Valpo will take on sixth-seed Cleveland State in the final on Sunday.

YSU battled all match long after losing the doubles point. Valpo picked up wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to go in front 1-0.

The Penguins came out strong in singles play winning the first two matches.

At No. 3, Thomas Rodrigues defeated Charlie Emhardt easily 6-0, 6-3 and moments later Danylo Veremeichuk finished off Chad Kissell by 6-3, 6-3 at No 2.

At No. 1, Mitch Maroscher hung tough agianst Horizon League Player of the Year Jeffrey Schorsch before losing 6-4, 6-3.

The Penguins picked up their third point when Joao Garretto won 7-6, 6-3 over Dave Bacalla.

Valpo won the final two singles matches as Brandon Ancona beat Yossi Dahan 6-4, 7-5 at No. 6 and Kyle Dunn defeated Luke Purser 7-6, 6-3 at No. 5 to rally for the win.

The Penguins won 19 dual matches for the year, setting a school record. Also, Rodrigues won a school-record 25 matches in his first season with the program.