RSC Men's Tennis Championship Day 1 Recap: Asbury, IU Southeast Back in Title Match
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Day 1 of the River States Conference Men's Tennis Championship on Friday produced the championship final of Asbury University versus Indiana University Southeast. The Eagles will meet the Grenadiers on Saturday, April 27. The first round of the tournament was played indoors at the Queen City Racquet Club.
The championship match is set for a TBA start time at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, home of the Western & Southern Open professional tennis tournament. The start time is based on possible rain in the forecast in the afternoon.
Asbury defeated Midway in the semifinal round while IU Southeast bested Indiana University East in the semis. Asbury is the defending men's RSC Tennis Tournament champion. The Eagle men are receiving votes in the latest national poll and bring a 12-3 record into the championship round. The IU Southeast men are 11-10 on the season.
Match Recaps
Quarterfinals
IU East 5, Ohio Christian 0 - The Red Wolves didn't drop a single game in their sweep victory over the Trailblazers to advance to the next round.
Midway 5, Brescia 0 - The Eagles got ahead early and never looked back. After leading 3-0 through doubles play, Midway wrapped up the match with a quick 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles.
Semifinals
Asbury 5, Midway 0 - Midway battled the Eagles in doubles action, but AU was able to escape unscathed with a 3-0 lead moving into singles. Felipe Penuela won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6 singles. RSC Player of the Year Joshua Turnquest clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-2 victory at the top singles spot.
IU Southeast 5, IU East 1 - The Grenadiers and Red Wolves had an intense battle at the top doubles match. IU East won 9-8 (10-8) in the tiebreaker to take the lead. IUS would win the final two matches by scores of 8-5, and 8-2.
Jerid Inman and Alec Bates won easily for IUS at No. 5 and No. 6 singles with 6-2, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-1 wins. Garrett Fensler won the match for IU Southeast as he rallied from a set down to take the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.