IU men’s tennis came into the weekend just above .500 having won just two of its last five matches.
The Hoosiers didn’t know where they stood as a program because the NCAA tournament seemed as far out of reach as ever, but this weekend changed everything.
IU went 3-0 in its matches this weekend, increasing its chances for an NCAA tournament bid come May.
The Hoosiers began the weekend with an anomaly, playing their first outdoor home match of the season.
IU took down Nebraska 5-2 after its early lead was cut in half.
After the win Saturday, No. 46 Iowa came to town Sunday afternoon in hopes of spoiling IU’s senior day ceremony. The Hawkeyes, however, left empty handed.
The Hoosiers dominated the nationally ranked Hawkeyes and never looked back after impressive 6-1 and 6-2 doubles victories.
Senior Antonio Cembellin, the lone IU senior, was honored after the Iowa win and before a match against Saint Louis University. Cembellin has been IU’s ace all season. He’s accumulated 23 wins this season, all of which have been in the No. 1 singles spot against some of the best players in the country.
IU swept Saint Louis 7-0 to close out its final weekend at home this season.
The match gave IU’s lesser-known players a chance to get some real reps in a match. Juniors William Piekarsky and Payam Ahmadi, who aren’t in the normal rotation, stepped in at No. 4 and 6 singles, respectively. They each earned straight-set wins.
The undefeated weekend puts IU at 13-9 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten, placing them ahead of once-ranked Iowa in the conference standings.
The Hoosiers control their own destiny with two matches left and the Big Ten Tournament looming at the end of April.
