ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's tennis team split a pair of matches Wednesday, falling 5-2 to Bethel University before bouncing back with a 7-0 sweep over Saint John's University.
UW-Eau Claire opened the day with a 5-2 loss despite taking the doubles point. At No. 1, Pablo Rincon and Danylo Ripeckyj earned a 6-4 win, while Sam Murillo and Billy Hughes followed with a 7-5 victory at No. 2. At No. 3, Andrew Mueller and Ethan Leeser fell 6-4.
In singles, the Blugolds picked up one point. Billy Hughes earned a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 3. At No. 1, Pablo Rincon fell 6-1, 6-2, while Danylo Ripeckyj dropped a three-set match at No. 2 (3-6, 6-1, 10-6). Sam Murillo was defeated 6-4, 6-4 at No. 4, and Ethan Leeser fell 6-4, 6-0 at No. 5. At No. 6, Emilio Monge was defeated 6-2, 6-0.
In the second match of the day, the Blugolds responded with a dominant 7-0 victory over Saint John's. UW-Eau Claire again secured the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2. Rincon and Ripeckyj earned a 6-1 victory at the top spot, while Murillo and Hughes added a 6-3 win at No. 2. The No. 3 doubles match featuring Mueller and Leeser was unfinished.
The Blugolds carried that momentum into singles, sweeping all six courts in straight sets. Rincon led the way at No. 1 with a 6-4, 6-1 win, while Ripeckyj followed with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at No. 2. At No. 3, Hughes earned a 6-1, 6-1 win, and Leeser added a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 4. Emilio Monge secured a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 5, and Logan Carroll completed the sweep with a 6-2, 6-3 victory at No. 6.
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