IU returns to early form with big wins

The IU men’s tennis team traveled to Clemson, S.C., with hopes of snapping a three-match losing streak and winless record against nationally ranked opponents. \nAfter dropping their two Clemson Invitational matches March 10, the Hoosiers rebounded, upsetting No. 57 Furman and also defeating Wofford on Thursday.\nIU (10-6) began the trip by losing to tournament host No. 20 Clemson, 7-0. The Hoosiers were swept in both singles in doubles, losing each of the nine matches. \nAt No. 1 singles, senior David Bubenicek fought hard against reigning ACC player of the week, Clement Reix, but came up short, losing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6. At No. 4, senior Arnaud Roussel was on track to win, ahead 6-4, 4-1, but an ankle injury forced him to retire and cede the match.\nIn the second match last Saturday, a shorthanded IU squad fell to No. 18 South Alabama, 6-1. Without junior Mike McCarthy and the injured Roussel, the Hoosiers found themselves in a jam, having to forfeit No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles, but the team put up a strong effort nonetheless.\n“You couldn’t tell that we started the match down,” IU coach Ken Hydinger said. “They were fighting, which is a really positive thing to see. It was a tough situation for them to be in, and they handled it well.” \nJunior Thomas Richter posted the Hoosiers’ lone singles win at No. 3 by scoring an upset against the nation’s 27th ranked player, Marek Sramek, 6-3, 6-1. At No. 1 doubles, Richter and junior Dara McLoughlin bounced back from a loss against Clemson to upset Sramek and partner Robert Hodel, the nation’s No. 43 doubles team. \nFive days removed from the South Alabama and Clemson matches, the Hoosiers returned to action, earning a 6-1 victory against Furman and putting a halt to their losing skid. After earning the doubles point, the Hoosiers took five of the six singles matches, highlighted by Bubenicek’s defeat of No. 110 Andy Juc, 6-2, 6-1.\n“This is one of the best teams that Furman has had and we handled them very well,” Hydinger said. “David defeated a guy who has beat(en) a lot of good players. In addition, we continued to look good in doubles. We have had some injuries and other things affect the team as of late that has forced some changes to the lineup, but we are fighting well regardless.”\nIn the afternoon match, IU took down Wofford, also by the score of 6-1. \nRichter stepped up to win at No. 1, while McLoughlin, Roussel and sophomores Mak Kendall and Peter Antons posted wins at Nos. 3 through 6, respectively. \nThursday’s wins marked the fifth time this season that the Hoosiers have swept a doubleheader.