Local News

Men’s Tennis Wins Fifth in a Row

Published

February 23, 2024

2/22/2024 | Randy Isbelle | Sports Information Intern

NEW ORLEANS – The Lewis-Clark State Men’s Tennis opened its trip to Louisiana with a 5-2 victory over Loyola (La.) at the XULA courts on the campus of Xavier (La.) on Thursday.

The win pushed the Warrior winning streak to five matches and their overall record to 5-2.

“The men showed a lot of grit and mental toughness today while playing against Loyola,” assistant coach Ryan LaPlante said. “This was our first match outdoors this year and it was very windy with the sun in our eyes, but our guys acted like these were our home courts.”

Itaru Kikuchi earned two victories on the day. First with Matus Rusnak in No. 1 doubles over Herman Aure and Francisco Javier Arce Vieyra 6-4. Kikuchi also won in No. 2 singles against Remus Hebhang-Balan 6-4, 6-3.

Rafael Bonnet de Larbogne took the win in No. 3 singles against Nick Stam in straight sets 6-2, 7-5. Nell Rollin and Alvaro Camino both fought back from a set down in their matches. Camino in earned his win in No. 6 singles and paired with Daniel Tevez to win in No. 3 doubles in a tiebreaker.

“Nell had the grittiest showing of the day,” LaPlante said.

Rollin dropped the opening set and trailed 4-0 in the second before rallying for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 win in No. 5 singles.

RESULTS

Doubles

1. Itaru Kikuchi/Matus Rusnak (LCSC) def. Herman Aure/Francisco Javier Arce Vieyra (LOYNO) 6-4

2. Spencer Matz/Hippolyte de Preville (LOYNO) def. Austin Swing/Nell Rollin (LCSC) 6-1

3. Alvaro Camino/Daniel Tevez (LCSC) def. Nick Stam/Samuel Motazed (LOYNO) 7-6 (5)

Singles

1. Francisco Javier Arce Vieyra (LOYNO) def. Matus Rusnak (LCSC) 6-2, 7-6 (5)

2. Itaru Kikuchi (LCSC) def. Remus Hebhang-Balan (LOYNO) 6-4, 6-3

3. Rafael Bonnet de Larbogne (LCSC) def. Nick Stam (LOYNO) 6-2, 7-5

4. Sam Motazed (LOYNO) def. Austin Swing (LCSC) 6-1, 6-1