Team wins every match, sweeps at Murray State over weekend

The men's tennis team swept Murray State this past weekend, winning every match they played. \n"This is a great, positive start for our season," interim coach Matthew Pledger said. "I am proud of the guys, especially with all of the changes that have been going on. The whole week in practice, they were excited and positive about the season."\nTheir hard work and upbeat attitudes paid off. Senior Zach Held and sophomore Ryan Recht played the No. 1 doubles position and defeated Murray State's Adam Maskill and Masimba Muskwe 9-7. Senior Petr Novotny and freshman Viktor Libel played No. 2 doubles and defeated Thiago Gondim and Richemn Mourad 8-5. \nThe No. 3 doubles duo of sophomore Jakub Praibis and freshman John Stone easily defeated Zakaria Bahri and Craig Jacobs 8-2. \nThe Hoosiers won nearly all their singles matches in straight sets. Libel started off the season, defeating Thiago Gowdin 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 singles. \n"I wasn't very nervous," Libel said. "I stayed focused throughout the match, started off well, and continued to serve well throughout the sets. I feel that this will give me confidence for the rest of the season."\nPraibus played the No. 2 singles position and defeated Muskwe 6-2, 6-0. Novotny stepped out onto the courts for the first time as a Hoosier playing the No. 3 singles position. Novotny defeated Bahri 6-3, 6-3.\nHeld, one of the more experienced players on the team, played a tough match at the No. 4 position. Held defeated Adam Maskill in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. \n"Adam Maskill is a great player and gave Zach a run," Pledger said. "Zach battled and got his game together, playing more aggressive in his third set than in his first two. I was really proud of his effort, as I was with all the guys on the team today."\nRecht played No. 5 singles, defeating Mourad 6-2, 6-1. Sophomore Jullien Vulliez took on Jacobs, defeating him 6-0, 6-1. \n"A good start is important for any team," Libel said. "We just need to make sure we are ready for the competition ahead of us." \nThe competition coming up next for the Hoosiers is Notre Dame on Friday. The action will start at 4 p.m. in South Bend.