Jacks Edge ORU, 4-3, For First League Win

Sunday, March 29

Indianapolis, Ind.

9:00 AM

South Dakota State University

Oral Roberts

Men's tennis competes at SIU Fall Classic

3/29/2015 2:30:00 PM | Men's Tennis

By: SDSU Sports Info

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. — Parker Lawley's victory at third singles propelled the South Dakota State men's tennis team past Oral Roberts, 4-3, Sunday morning at the West Indy Racquet Club.

"Parker played awesome tennis to close out the match for us," head coach Michael Engdahl said. "Our seniors, in general, really stepped up for us in crunch time in both singles and doubles."

After Lawley topped Jan Pehnec, 6-3, in their first set, the Golden Eagle freshman rallied to force a tiebreaker in the second. With the match on the line, tied at three apiece, Lawley dispatched Pehnec in the tiebreaker, 7-4, to secure the Jackrabbits' first Summit League win of the season.

The victory lifted South Dakota State to 10-7 (1-1 SL) on the season. Oral Roberts fell to 8-10 (1-3 SL). The Jackrabbits are the second Summit League team to reach the 10-win plateau this season; defending champion Denver (10-7, 1-0 SL) was the first.

Lovro Curcija and Mateus Moreira won their singles matches for South Dakota State in straight sets. At fourth singles, Curcija dispatched Alvaro Santamaria, 6-1, 6-1 while Moreira toppled Michael Sosnowski at fifth singles, 6-2, 6-4.

Earlier in the day, Lawley was instrumental in securing the doubles point for the Jackrabbits, which proved to be a difference maker after the Golden Eagles won three of six singles matches. With the point on the line after the teams split the second and third doubles matches, Lawley and fellow senior Andrea Boglic fought off two match points to win the tiebreaker, 8-6, and defeat Alejandro Capdequi and Pehnec, 8-7.

After a difficult 6-1 loss to IUPUI Saturday, Engdahl said this close win was just what the team needed to regain its confidence going into its match with Denver next Saturday.

"I could not be more proud of our boys today," Engdahl said. "They had a tough loss last night with a quick turn around. They didn't dwell on yesterday and scrapped out a gritty win today. They should enjoy every second of this win because they certainly earned it."