MADISON, Wisconsin – Sophomore Luke Nelson went 2-0 in both singles and doubles to remain perfect on the season in leading the MSOE men's tennis team defeated Edgewood and Marian in road matches Saturday.
The Raiders (4-5, 4-0 NACC) opened the day with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Eagles (2-10, 1-1 NACC) with whom they had shared the 2017 league regular season title. They then headed to Kohler and rolled past the Sabres (0-7, 0-2 NACC) for their fourth-straight win and to remain perfect in league play.
Nelson remained undefeated on the young season at 4-0 in both singles and doubles play, playing at No. 2 during both portions of each match.
Against Edgewood, 8-2 victories at both No. 2 and 3 doubles gave MSOE a 2-1 lead heading into singles play. Nelson paired with sophomore Curt Norton for the No. 2 win. Freshman Connor Splingaire and freshman Bryan Roob picked up the win at No. 3.
Nelson then won his singles match 6-3, 6-2 and Splingaire did not drop a game in following suit, 6-0, 6-0. Sophomore Michael Korbut also won at No. 5 singles, 6-3, 6-2, as the Raiders picked up the three singles points they needed to claim the match.
MSOE, Edgewood, and Concordia Wisconsin each tied for first last season at 7-1, with the Red & White picking up a win over CUW on the final day of the regular season to force the tie.
With a win already in hand, the team put together a strong team performance top-to-bottom to take down Marian.
Seniors Ryan Runke and Brad Phoenix set the tone in No. 1 doubles with a hard-fought 8-6 win. Then, in singles, Runke came from behind for a 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 10-8 victory at No. 1 singles. Phoenix faced less trouble at No. 4 singles, with a 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Nelson and Norton continued to roll at No. 2 doubles, 8-2, and Nelson picked up a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles. At No. 3 singles, Norton scored a tidy 6-1, 6-0 win.
Splingaire and Roob scored an 8-0 shutout at No. 3 doubles. Roob then took the No. 6 singles position and matched Splingaire's earlier performance with a clean 6-0, 6-0 win.
The Raiders return to the court Wednesday with a non-league match at Carthage before a road NACC doubleheader next Saturday in River Forest, Illinois, against Concordia Chicago and Dominican.
